The Krasnodar Territory Court in Russia has sentenced Abkhaz oppositionist Kan Kvarchia in absentia to 10 years and six months in a strict-regime penal colony.
Kvarchia was found guilty of robbery committed by a group with intent to seize property on a particularly large scale, under Article 162(4)(b) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
The case materials say that on November 5, 2025, Kvarchia, together with a group of individuals, carried out a robbery attack against three Russian citizens in Sukhumi, during which money and other property were allegedly taken under threats of violence.
The criminal case was opened on November 24, 2025, and was submitted to court on April 28 this year.
Russia placed Kvarchia, along with Abkhaz opposition figures Eshsou Kakalia and Khina Dumaa, on its wanted list in November last year, accusing them of involvement in an attack on Russian political technologists in Abkhazia ahead of municipal elections.
The case relates to an alleged attack on Russian political technologists Ivan Reva, Pavel Timofeev and Dmitry Budykin in Sukhumi. Russian investigative authorities said the damage amounted to 1.975 million rubles.
Russian investigators say the incident involved a premeditated robbery carried out under threat of violence, allegedly using a weapon.
The suspects have denied the charges. Kvarchia and Kakalia, who lead the public organization Aidgilari, previously said the allegations were unfounded.
Following the court ruling, Aslan Kobakhia of the veterans’ organization Aruaa described the verdict on social media as the beginning of a “repressive machine,” saying it could place pressure on Abkhaz judicial structures.
