TSKHINVALI, Georgia – A pro-Russian former KGB officer has won the presidency in Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia and has suggested he would push for the tiny territory to join Russia.
A mountainous region of about 30,000 people, South Ossetia has been at the heart of Georgia’s bitter relations with Russia since breaking from Georgian control in a war in the 1990s.
Moscow recognised it as an independent nation after a brief war with Georgia in 2008. Internationally it is only recognised by Venezuela, Nicaragua and the Pacific nation of Nauru.
The victory of Leonid Tibilov, the Kremlin-backed candidate, is certain to bolster Moscow’s influence in the region as it seeks to complicate aspirations by US- backed Georgia to join Nato.
According to results released yesterday, Mr Tibilov won more than 54 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s presidential run-off against regional human rights ombudsman David Sanakoyev.
Georgia’s government dismissed the election as illegitimate, calling South Ossetia “occupied” territory and saying it would urge the international community to join its criticism.
Russia has a military base in South Ossetia and has spent about $1 billion supporting the impoverished region since the 2008 conflict. “We will develop the relationship with Russia in all areas,” Mr Tibilov (60) said. – (Reuters)