SUKHUMI (Sputnik) — The organizers of riots in the city of Sukhumi against a referendum on snap presidential elections may face punishment in line with the criminal legislation, Abkhazian President Raul Khajimba said Monday.
Last Tuesday's opposition rally calling for the referendum to be deferred until the fall descended into mass violence.
"Yes, they will be [punished]. Criminal procedures under Article 206 were filed, work is underway. I think, no one should get away with cases like that, which could lead to our country's collapse," Khajimba said.
The referendum on snap presidential elections was held in Abkhazia on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Khajimba confirmed that the referendum had been ruled invalid due to low voter turnout, which totaled only 1.23 percent. A turnout of at least 50 percent is needed for a referendum to be recognized.
