Aslan Bzhania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aslan Bzhania
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| Аслан Бжьаниа | |
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Bzhania in 2022
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| 5th President of Abkhazia | |
| In office 23 April 2020 – 19 November 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Alexander Ankvab |
| Vice President | Badra Gunba |
| Preceded by | Raul Khajimba Valeri Bganba (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Badra Gunba (acting) |
| Head of the State Security Service | |
| In office 23 February 2009 – 29 September 2014 |
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| President | Sergei Bagapsh Alexander Ankvab |
| Preceded by | Iuri Ashuba |
| Succeeded by | Zurab Margania |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 April 1964 Tamishi, Abkhaz ASSR, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Abkhazia) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University Academy of National Economy under the President of the Russian Federation |
Aslan Georgievich Bzhania (Abkhaz: Аслан Гьаргь-иԥа Бжьаниа; Georgian: ასლან გიორგის-ძე ბჟანია; Russian: Аслан Георгиевич Бжания; born 6 April 1964) is a politician from Abkhazia. He served as the fifth president of Abkhazia from 23 April 2020. He resigned from this role on 19 November 2024. Before becoming president, he was the Head of the State Security Service from 2010 to 2014. He was also a leader of the political opposition in Abkhazia starting in 2016. He ran in the 2019 presidential election but had to withdraw due to health issues. He later won the 2020 presidential election.
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Early Life and Career
Aslan Bzhania was born on 6 April 1964. His birthplace was the village of Tamishi in the Ochamchira District. In 1985, he finished his studies at the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction University.
Between 1991 and 1993, Bzhania worked for the State Security Service of Abkhazia. After this, he became a businessman in Moscow in 1994. In 1998, he graduated from the Academy of National Economy. From January to February 2009, Bzhania worked as an advisor. He served at the Abkhazian Embassy in Moscow during this time.
Leading the Security Service
On 23 February 2009, Aslan Bzhania was given an important job. He was appointed as the head of the State Security Service. This happened after Sergei Bagapsh was re-elected as President of Abkhazia. Bzhania took over from Iuri Ashuba.
When President Bagapsh passed away in 2011, Bzhania kept his position. The new president, Alexander Ankvab, re-appointed him. Bzhania continued to lead the State Security Service until September 2014.
Running for President
In 2014, there were big changes in Abkhazia. After a period of public unrest, new presidential elections were called. Aslan Bzhania decided to run for president. His running mate for vice president was Astan Agrba.
Many groups supported Bzhania's campaign. These included the political party Amtsakhara. Former Vice President Mikhail Logua also supported him. Bzhania lost the election in the first round. He came in second place with 35.88% of the votes. The election was won by opposition leader Raul Khajimba.
Becoming President
In 2016, Bzhania became a leader of the opposition. On 3 December 2016, he was stopped by Russian border guards. This happened as he was trying to cross into Abkhazia. This event caused protests by the Abkhazian opposition. They believed Bzhania had been stopped because of the Abkhazian authorities. President Khajimba asked for Bzhania's release. Bzhania was released and allowed to cross the border later that day.
In 2019, Bzhania decided to run for president again. He was seen as a strong candidate. However, he became very ill in April 2019. He was taken to a hospital in Moscow. His health issues were serious, affecting his breathing and speech. Because of his illness, he had to withdraw from the election on 15 July.
Raul Khajimba won the 2019 election. But the results were later cancelled by the Supreme Court in January 2020. This led to protests. Khajimba resigned as president on 12 January. New elections were set for 22 March 2020. Aslan Bzhania entered these new elections. He won with 59% of the votes, becoming the fifth president of Abkhazia.
Recent Events and Resignation
In 2021, there were some public protests against President Bzhania. These events are known as the 2021 Abkhazia unrest.
In November 2024, more large protests took place. These protests were against an agreement between Abkhazia and Russia. On 15 November, protesters took control of the building of the People's Assembly of Abkhazia. They demanded that President Bzhania resign. At first, Bzhania refused to step down.
On 16 November, the opposition claimed Bzhania had left for an unknown place. However, his team said he was in his home village of Tamishi. After four days of protests and talks, President Aslan Bzhania resigned. Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab also resigned on 19 November 2024. Badra Gunba, the Vice President, became the acting president. A new election was planned for 15 February 2025.
See also
In Spanish: Aslan Bzhania para niños
