Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Sukhumi on Thursday to pay his last respects to the late Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh.
Bagapsh, 62, died on May 29 after undergoing surgery on his right lung at a Moscow clinic. A mourning ceremony was held in Moscow, after which his remains were flown to Abkhazia.
Russia's prime minister will take part in another mourning ceremony for Bagapsh, which will be held in Sukhumi's Philharmonic Hall. Then Bagapsh's body will be buried in the village of Dzhgerda in the Ochamchira district where his parents are buried.
It is expected that in Sukhumi Putin will also meet with Abkhazian Vice President Alexander Ankvab, who is presently acting president of the former Georgian republic, and Abkhaz Prime Minister Sergei Shamba.
Abkhazia and another Georgian breakaway republic, South Ossetia, were recognized by Russia as independent states in 2008 following a five-day war, which started when Georgia attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control.
Four other countries, Nicaragua, Venezuela and the tiny Pacific island nations of Nauru and Vanuatu, have followed Russia's suit. Georgia considers the two regions part of its sovereign territory.
SUKHUMI, June 2 (RIA Novosti)
