**Russian-Wanted Georgian Citizen Detained in Occupied Abkhazia**
A shocking incident has unfolded in the occupied region of Abkhazia, where de facto authorities have detained a Georgian citizen wanted by Russia for a murder that took place in 2002. Vladimir Shulaia, a 47-year-old man, was reportedly handed over to Russian authorities on July 28.
According to local news outlet Apsnypress, the de facto security service claimed that Shulaia had been staying in Abkhazia illegally and was part of a criminal group operating in both Georgia and Russia. This move has raised eyebrows, as it suggests that occupied Abkhazia is willing to cooperate with Russian authorities on sensitive matters.
The detention and subsequent handover of Shulaia to Russia highlight the complex web of relationships between Abkhazian de facto authorities, Georgian government, and the Russian Federation. It also underscores the risk faced by Georgian citizens living in occupied territories, where they may be subject to arbitrary arrest and prosecution at the whims of de facto powers.
The fact that Russia had a murder warrant out for Shulaia since 2002 adds an air of gravity to this incident. The involvement of Abkhazian authorities in apprehending someone wanted by Russian law enforcement sends a worrying signal about the level of coordination between these entities.
As tensions between Georgia and Russia continue to simmer, incidents like this one only add to the complexity of the situation on the ground. It remains to be seen how Tbilisi will respond to this development, but it’s clear that Georgian citizens living in occupied territories are often caught in the crossfire of international rivalries and power struggles.
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