The death of a girl in Abkhazia has brought the issue of domestic violence legislation into sharp focus.
Kristina Lakhina, the aunt of a three-year-old girl who died from beatings, has been remanded in custody by a court in Sukhum for two months. Deputies have stated the need to draft a law on domestic violence. A bill on protection from domestic violence was introduced in parliament six years ago, but has not yet been included in the session agenda, the former Abkhazia ombudsman objected.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot," a three-year-old girl from the Gulrypsh district of Abkhazia died as a result of abuse and violence by members of her own family. Those responsible for the beating of the three-year-old girl, who died in Abkhazia, must be punished as an example, social media commentators stated. In their opinion, part of the blame for the child’s death lies with the guardianship authorities.
The girl's aunt has been arrested for two months
The Sukhumi City Court granted the petition of the Investigative Department of the Prosecutor General's Office to remand suspect Kristina Lakhina in custody for two months, until June 9, 2026, Apsnypress reported today.
On April 9, 2026, the Gulrypsh District Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal case against Lakhina under the article on intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm, committed under the influence of alcohol and drugs, with particular cruelty and abuse, which resulted in the girl's death on April 7.
Deputies declared the need for a law on domestic violence
Parliament initiates the development of a law against domestic violence after The tragedy in the Gulrypsh district, the agency reported on April 9.
Parliamentarians agreed that the state must develop effective legal mechanisms to protect citizens from domestic violence and prevent similar incidents.
Deputy Inar Sadzba emphasized that the incident shocked the entire society.
MP Daut Khutaba reported that although the committee currently does not have an officially registered bill on domestic violence, work is underway in this direction, the agency reports.
The law was submitted to parliament six years ago, but has not yet been adopted, noted former Abkhazia Ombudsman Asida Shakryl.
"Since 2020, a bill on protection from domestic violence, prepared by the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, has been in Parliament. The bill primarily includes mechanisms for preventing violence, preventing it, which is the main part of the bill. In addition to prevention, it also provides for criminal liability for domestic violence. How many years of discussions will it take before this bill ends up on the agenda of the Parliament session?", Aiashara quoted her as saying.
Due to the fact that MPs refuse to pass a full-fledged law that has been gathering dust for almost six years, newly elected Human Rights Commissioner Anas Kishmaria submitted to Parliament in 2025 separate amendments to administrative, criminal, and criminal procedural legislation to ensure that law enforcement officers have the ability to legally respond to crimes related to domestic violence, she noted. "But this is a partial solution, and individual amendments cannot regulate all aspects of problems related to domestic violence. A comprehensive law is needed!" Shakryl emphasized.
The draft law on protection from domestic violence has been in the People's Assembly—the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia—for many years. It just needs to be passed, she pointed out.
The death of a child always causes a great deal of resonance, and society reacts sharply to such cruelty. However, cases of domestic violence often go unnoticed, Ekaterina Neroznikova, coordinator of the human rights group Marem, previously told the Caucasian Knot. "The death of a child causes public unrest, a huge wave of hate with demands for the death penalty or some other very harsh punishment for the mother. If a child dies, everyone immediately becomes concerned, but it's a shame that they often don't react before then," she said.