Aslan Abashidze

Aslan Abashidze
Born	(1938-07-20) July 20, 1938 Batumi, Georgia
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1991–2004
Known for	Head of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic (1991–2004)

Aslan Abashidze (; born 20 July 1938) served as the head of the Ajarian Autonomous Republic in western Georgia from 18 August 1991 until 5 May 2004. He stepped down under pressure from the central Georgian authorities and widespread opposition during the 2004 Adjara crisis, and has since lived in Moscow, Russia. On 22 January 2007, the Batumi city court found him guilty in absentia of abusing his official position and embezzling GEL 98.2 million of public funds, sentencing him to 15 years in prison. Additionally, he faces accusations connected to the 1991 assassination of his former deputy, Nodar Imnadze.

Early life and career

Born into a distinguished Muslim Ajarian family descending from the Abashidze princely lineage, Abashidze’s grandfather, Memed Abashidze, was a prominent writer and parliamentarian during the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918–1921), who was executed by Stalin’s regime in 1937. His father endured ten years imprisoned in the Gulag. Despite these family hardships, Abashidze completed higher education in history, philosophy, and economics at Batumi and Tbilisi State Universities. Prior to entering regional governance in Ajaria, he worked as both an educator and economist. He later held positions such as Minister of Community Service and subsequently First Deputy Minister at the national level, though the latter was a relatively low-ranking role.

Though originating from a Muslim background influential in shaping Georgian Islamic identity, Abashidze converted to Christianity. He maintained close associations with Grigory Luchansky, proprietor of the Vienna-based company Nordex.

Abashidze and independent Georgia

After Georgia declared independence on 9 April 1991, Abashidze assumed the roles of Chairman of Ajaria’s Supreme Council and Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Parliament (1990–1995). He established a power base within Ajaria by navigating between Tbilisi’s central government and opposition groups. To secure his region against both supporters and opponents of President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, he organized his own armed forces, successfully insulating Ajaria from the civil conflicts that engulfed Georgia between 1991 and 1993.

Unlike separatist regions such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia, he did not pursue full secession but aimed for "armed autonomy," transforming Ajaria into a "free economic zone" where customs revenues were controlled locally rather than by central authorities.

Abashidze’s governance was often criticized for its authoritarian and feudal characteristics. In 1992, he founded the political party Union of Democratic Revival. His presidency of Ajaria began in 1998 after winning an election with approximately 93% support; international observers generally regarded this vote as free.

He favored exerting influence indirectly over national politics by supporting whichever leadership best preserved his regional autonomy. An understanding was reached with President Eduard Shevardnadze, who tolerated Ajaria's semi-independent status to prevent conflict. However, relations deteriorated towards the late 1990s amid mutual allegations of corruption and betrayal.

Abashidze and the "Rose Revolution"

The ousting of Shevardnadze in November 2003—known as the "Rose Revolution"—sparked a political standoff between Abashidze and Tbilisi’s new government. The Georgian opposition criticized Shevardnadze for neglecting separatism issues, particularly Ajaria’s limited subordination to central authority. Perceiving this as a challenge to his rule and Ajaria's autonomy, Abashidze condemned Shevardnadze’s removal as a "coup." He imposed a state of emergency in Ajaria and sought support from Russia but received minimal assistance while facing strong diplomatic pressure from the United States to reach a settlement. On 25 January 2004, he met with newly elected President Mikhail Saakashvili in Batumi and indicated readiness to cooperate.

However, tensions escalated after Saakashvili vowed to reassert central control over separatist areas. In March 2004, Ajarian border guards blocked Saakashvili’s convoy; Abashidze accused him of attempting a coup d’état, declared another state of emergency, and mobilized regional armed forces. Saakashvili responded by issuing an ultimatum demanding that Abashidze relinquish control to Tbilisi authorities, disband paramilitary units, and closed transit routes into Ajaria.

Facing increasing internal unrest and public demonstrations alongside calls for peaceful resolution from international actors, Abashidze resigned on 5 May 2004 as Georgian Special Forces entered Ajaria and paramilitary groups disarmed or defected. The following day he departed for Moscow without incident after receiving assurances against extradition.

Georgian courts subsequently froze assets belonging to Abashidze and his family members, transferring them to state ownership. As of December 2012, reports indicated he resided in Barvikha, a village within Odintsovsky District, Moscow Oblast.

In August 2016, Batumi City Court sentenced Abashidze in absentia to 15 years imprisonment on charges including abuse of office, misappropriation of funds, orchestrating terrorist acts in 2004, and involvement in the 1991 killing of former deputy Nodar Imnadze.

Family

Aslan Abashidze was united in marriage with the musician Maguli Gogitidze, and together they had two children: a daughter and a son.

See also

• Chairman of the Government of Adjara, the inaugural officeholder

External links

• Profile: Aslan Abashidze, Steven Eke, BBC News, 4 May 2004
• "President Aslan Abashidze, visionary leader of Adjara", 2002
• Aslan Abashidze at the Parliament of Georgia
• Aslan Abashidze, The Dictionary of Georgian National Biography