Analysts have deemed the opposition's demand for the resignation of the Abkhaz Interior Minister futile.
The demand for the resignation of Abkhazia's Interior Minister Robert Kiut is motivated by well-founded doubts about the legality of issuing Russian passports, but Kiut is not personally responsible for the legal conflict that has arisen, and the opposition has little chance of getting him removed in this regard.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on February 6, the Russian Embassy in Abkhazia announced the cessation of issuing Russian passports in Abkhazia. This decision was made due to statements by Abkhazian MPs who questioned the legality of the issuance centers for Russian documents opened in January. Following this, Abkhazian public organizations called on the president to dismiss Interior Minister Robert Kiut. In their opinion, the minister should be held accountable for the fact that "the procedure for issuing internal Russian passports turned out to be illegal."
The issuance of Russian passports to citizens of Abkhazia who also hold Russian citizenship was carried out on the basis of an agreement on the settlement of dual citizenship issues, which entered into force in April 2025. On July 17, 2025, Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing for the issuance of internal Russian passports in Abkhazia. Most residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia acquired Russian passports before 2008. According to estimates from the Warsaw Institute, a think tank, by 2008, up to 85% of the population of Abkhazia and over 90% of the population of South Ossetia held Russian passports.
The opposition organizations Aruaa, Apsuaa Rymch, and Aidgylara demanded the resignation of Abkhazia's Minister of Internal Affairs, Robert Kiuta, and not without reason, as the issue of issuing internal Russian passports in the republic is genuinely of public concern, stated journalist Inal Khashig.
"Passports were indeed issued without any regulatory framework, such as an intergovernmental agreement. This issue was raised at a closed parliamentary meeting, the results of which caused a scandal: Moscow was offended, and the Russian embassy announced that it would stop issuing passports," he said.
According to the journalist, doubts about the legality of the document issuance process have divided Abkhazia's residents. "For some, for example, pensioners who don't quite understand the specifics, a Russian passport is important to be able to receive their pensions. For others, good relations with Russia are important, but it's also important that everything is legal," he explained to the "Caucasian Knot."
The issue of the legality of issuing passports is indeed important, but opposition members demanding Kiut's resignation have exploited the situation for political gain, believes Said Gezerdava, an employee of the NGO "Center for Humanitarian Programs."
"The issuance of passports, as it was carried out, violated international law, including the Vienna Convention on Consular Services." "But, on the other hand, this decision (on issuing passports and driver's licenses) was made not now, but in July 2025, and at that time, no one (from the opposition) made any statements on this topic. Now the situation has escalated: the opposition is under pressure from the same Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the demand for the minister's resignation is a retaliatory move. Moreover, this is an issue at the wrong level, and the claims are being made against the wrong people. Yes, Kiut committed such a violation, but the minister is not the official who makes decisions on such actions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs deals with organizational issues, and the decision is made by people higher up," he told the "Caucasian Knot."
By demanding Kiut's resignation, the opposition simply used the opportunity to remind people of its presence, the expert, who has been studying Abkhazia for many years, is sure.
"It's possible, of course, that the minister stepped on someone's toes. But more likely, it was simply an excuse for the opposition to make a statement. Of course, it will be difficult for them to stir things up with this passport issue, but they can at least show that they exist and are doing something," said an analyst who wished to remain anonymous.