Breakaway Region Holds Vote for President
The breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia defiantly voted for a new president, adding tension to already strained relations between Georgia and Russia.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has pledged to bring the strip of land bordering Russia back under central rule. But candidates and voters proclaimed their unrecognized Black Sea state independent.
“Abkhazians are voting ... so the country can be independent and the people can be free,” said Sergei Bagapsh, main rival to Russian-backed candidate Raul Khadzhimba. Results were expected today.
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