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 |
| 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 was a politician from Abkhazia. He served as the fifth president of Abkhazia from April 23, 2020, until he resigned on November 19, 2024. Before becoming president, he was the Head of the State Security Service of Abkhazia from 2010 to 2014. He also became a leader of the political opposition in Abkhazia starting in 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Aslan Bzhania was born on April 6, 1964. His birthplace was the village of Tamishi, located in the Ochamchira District. In 1985, he finished his studies at the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction University. Later, in 1998, he graduated from the Academy of National Economy under the President of the Russian Federation.
Early Career and Security Service
From 1991 to 1993, Bzhania worked for the State Security Service of Abkhazia. After that, in 1994, he started a business in Moscow. He also worked as an advisor for the Abkhazian Embassy in Moscow for a short time in 2009.
Leading the State Security Service
On February 23, 2009, Aslan Bzhania was chosen to lead the State Security Service. This happened after Sergei Bagapsh was re-elected as President of Abkhazia. When President Bagapsh passed away in 2011, Bzhania was re-appointed to his role by the new president, Alexander Ankvab. He continued in this important position until 2014.
Becoming a Political Leader
In 2014, there were big changes in Abkhazia. After a period of public protests against President Ankvab, Bzhania became a candidate for president. He ran in the Abkhazian presidential election, 2014 with Astan Agrba as his running mate. Many political groups supported him. However, he lost this election to Raul Khajimba, coming in second place.
Leading the Opposition
After the 2014 election, Bzhania became a key figure in the political opposition. In December 2016, he was stopped by Russian border guards while trying to enter Abkhazia. This event caused protests from the Abkhazian opposition, who believed it was related to politics. Bzhania was later released. He stated that he was told he was a "threat" and was tested multiple times.
Presidential Elections
Aslan Bzhania decided to run for president again in the 2019 Abkhazian presidential election. He was seen as a strong candidate. However, in April 2019, he became very ill and had to go to a hospital in Moscow. Doctors found unusual substances in his blood. This health issue made it impossible for him to continue his campaign, so he withdrew from the election in July.
Raul Khajimba won the 2019 election. But there were more protests, and in January 2020, the Abkhazian Supreme Court decided that the election results were not valid. President Khajimba then resigned. New elections were set for March 22, 2020. Aslan Bzhania ran again and won this election with 59% of the votes.
Time as President
Aslan Bzhania became the fifth President of Abkhazia on April 23, 2020. During his time as president, there were some public disagreements in 2021.
Challenges and Resignation
In November 2024, large public protests took place in Abkhazia. People were unhappy about an agreement between Abkhazia and Russia. On November 15, protesters entered the building of the People's Assembly of Abkhazia and asked President Bzhania to resign. He initially refused.
On November 19, after four days of protests and talks between the government and the opposition, President Aslan Bzhania and Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab both resigned. Badra Gunba, who was the Vice President, became the acting president. A new election was planned for February 15, 2025.
Images for kids
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Aslan Bzhania in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Aslan Bzhania para niños
