"The first alternative presidential election in the Republic of Abkhazia has created the real danger of unleashing a civil war, when brother is ready to raise hand against brother", reads the presidential statement, circulated by the Abkhaz mission in Moscow.
"On the night from October 5 to 6, 2004, under strong pressure from representatives of the Sergei Bagapsh election headquarters members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia were gathered for an unplanned early sitting. With the use of threats they (CEC members) were forced to vote for cancelling the voting results in the Gali district and holding a re-election in its territory", the document reads.
Ardzinba has called the CEC decision to be "across the lines of legislation".
Simultaneously, the Abkhaz president relieved from his post one of the presidential nominees, Raul Khadzhimba, and appointed Nodar Khashba instead.
"I address the presidential candidates in the Republic of Abkhazia to use their influence on their supporters for preventing the deepening split of society, preserving stability and political processes within the legal environment", Ardzinba's statement reads.
He calls on all citizens of Abkhazia to display responsibility and prevent the development of processes "threatening the existence of our nation and our independent statehood".
