**Abkhazian Deputy Shot Dead During Confrontation**
On December 18, a prominent leader in the occupied Abkhazian region, Vakhtang Golandzia, was killed in an armed clash between two other leaders. The incident occurred while the de facto parliament was discussing a ban on cryptocurrency mining.
The confrontation took place between Adgur Kharazia and Kan Kvarchia near the parliament building. Kharazia pulled out his pistol to shoot Kvarchia, but Golandzia intervened, trying to calm the situation. Unfortunately, he was shot instead. Kvarchia also got hit in the hand.
The reason behind the confrontation is unclear, but it happened during a debate on banning crypto-mining. The de facto parliament has been considering stricter rules to address energy shortages caused by mining activities.
**Abkhazia‘s Struggle with Energy Shortages**
For several years, Abkhazia has struggled with severe energy shortages due to cryptocurrency mining. The region’s power grids have been under excessive pressure. To address this issue, the de facto parliament has moved to advance restrictions on crypto-mining and amend the Criminal Code.
The new draft law aims to ban all activities related to cryptocurrencies, including trading, use, and advertising. Importing mining equipment is also prohibited. These measures are intended to ensure the rational use of Abkhazia’s limited energy resources.
**Previous Efforts to Curb Mining**
Abkhazia has had a ban on cryptocurrency mining since 2018, complemented by a temporary import ban on mining equipment since 2020. Despite these efforts, administrative fines and confiscation of equipment have been used as enforcement tools. The new draft law extends these restrictions.
De facto parliament speaker Lasha Ashuba emphasized the necessity of such measures, citing the ongoing electricity crisis as a matter of public interest.
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