The opposition called a meeting after the assassination attempt on Kakalia.
The assassination attempt on Alkhas Kakalia is politically motivated and motivated by criticism of the head of the Presidential Administration, Beslan Eshba, the opposition stated, demanding Eshba's resignation and a fair investigation, and announcing an opposition rally in central Sukhum on February 23. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the arrest of one of the suspects in the shooting.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Eshsou Kakalia, a member of the Supreme Council of the opposition public organization "Aidgylara," was shot on February 21 and hospitalized.
Three Russian political strategists were detained on November 5, 2025, on the eve of municipal elections, at the office of the pro-presidential publication "Abkhaz Herald," which was published without permits. According to media reports, they were expelled from the republic. In late December, a court in Sukhum found the actions of Russian political strategist Ivan Reva before the municipal elections to be violations of electoral law and fined him under three administrative offenses. In early February, participants in the incident with political strategists Eshsou Kakalia and Aslan Kmuzov were given a preventive measure in the form of a written undertaking not to leave the country and to behave properly, while three other participants in the incident were sent under house arrest.
The Abkhaz Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the arrest on February 22 of one of the three suspects in the attempt on the life of public figure Eshsou Kakalia, Alkhas Gurguliya. A criminal case has been opened on the grounds of crimes under paragraph "a" of Part 3 of Article 105 and Part 1 of Article 217 of the Criminal Code, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs website.
On February 20, Alkhas Gurgulia was appointed a member of the Public Chamber of Abkhazia by decree of President Badr Gunba, according to information on the president's website.
The opposition has declared the attack on Kakalia to be politically motivated. "On February 21, 2026, an armed attack was committed in Sukhum against the former Deputy Prosecutor General and former Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Abkhazia, Deputy Chairman of Aidgylar, Eshsou Ivanovich Kakalia. This crime is political in nature and was committed in response to the principled criticism of the head of the Presidential Administration, Beslan Eshba. This armed attack is a direct reprisal against a politician who dared to point out the numerous abuses of power by the current government," the authors of the statement, which was published by "gazeta abh", stated.
They demanded the immediate resignation of the head of the Presidential Administration, Beslan Eshba, a comprehensive investigation into the armed attack on Eshsou Kakalia, and the prosecution of all those responsible - both the direct perpetrators and those who ordered it.
"In the event of inaction by law enforcement agencies and failure to take action against the organizers of this crime, the current power headed by President Badra Gunba,” the text says.
It was signed by the republican political parties "FNEA", "Apsny", "Akzaara", public organizations "Aruaa", "AND", "Aidgylara", "Aiaaira", "Akhyaca", the public movement "Apsuaa Rymch", the foundation "Aamta".
Representatives of the opposition called on their brothers to gather tomorrow in the center of Sukhum, reports "Aiashara".
"Violence in response to political criticism is unacceptable. This incident is a consequence of the loss of trust and the loss of responsibility of the authorities to the people," said the leader of the movement "Apsuaa Rymch" Batal Chkadua.
On February 5, Eshsou Kakalia called on the prosecutor's office to hold accountable the organizers of the illegal The activities of foreign political strategists during the elections in Abkhazia, in particular, the head of the presidential administration, Beslan Eshba, and presidential adviser, Akhra Smyr. "These statements are untrue, and they will be given an appropriate legal assessment," Apsnypress quoted Eshba as saying on February 6.
"We remained silent for 24 hours, waiting for action from President Badr Gunba. But the response was silence. Lawlessness is occurring in the country with the tacit consent of the authorities, and today we are also seeing legal lawlessness," noted Abkhazian parliament member Kan Kvarchia.
Eshsou Kakalia is in intensive care. Doctors assess his condition as moderate. There is no threat to his life. He is receiving all necessary assistance, Aiashara reported on February 21.