01 January 2021, 13:55
Social network users link new resignations with Tskhinvali protests
Instagram users have suggested that the resignations of Oleg Gagloev, the office manager of the South-Ossetian government, and Gulnara Kozaeva, the children's ombudsperson, have been caused by their support of the demands of Inal Djabiev's relatives. Social network users have also criticized the installation of a New Year tree in the square, where the protest action continues for 28 days.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in Tskhinvali, since December 4, a round-the-clock action organized by the relatives of Inal Djabiev has been held. They demand the inquiry results into Inal's death. The protesters are supported by some of the MPs, who are boycotting the sessions and demanding the resignation of the Public Prosecutor General. On December 29, due to the boycott, the South-Ossetian Parliament failed to adopt the 2021 budget. On the same day, President Anatoly Bibilov dismissed his adviser Soslan Djusoev, who was in the square with the protesters.
Bibilov has "launched a full-fledged 'cleansing' of power bodies from those who have shown sympathy for the Djabiev family," the authors of the "Sidæmon" Telegram channel believe. Apart from Soslan Djusoev's dismissal, they pointed to those of Oleg Gagloev and Gulnara Kozaeva.
Since late December, residents of South Ossetia have been posting on the Facebook their intention to join the protesters in Tskhinvali on the New Year's Eve. Social network users stated they could not celebrate while Djabiev's relatives are seeking an inquiry into his death that happened after he was detained by law enforcers.
No New Year sentiments are noticeable in the square, said Soslan Tigiev, a South-Ossetian wrestler. "People say that the holiday worries them least of all; they will not leave the unhappy family in their difficult time. They are sitting around Inal's portrait and light candles for the peace of his tortured soul," Tigiev's words are quoted on the Instagram.
Oksana Sotieva, Inal's widow, said on the Facebook that the protest would continue until the protesters' demands were met.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 31, 2020 at 10:01 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
