De facto Abkhazia has sharp repressive approaches towards independent civil society organizations and activists. In order to completely repress free speech, the de facto Abkhazian government, which takes instructions from the Russian regime, uses repressive legislative instruments, targeted discrediting propaganda, and even physical violence. These mechanisms are especially directed against those who criticize the transfer of de facto state assets to Russia.

In December 2023, the ratification of the agreement on the transfer of a state-owned country house to Russia was met with criticism by civil society. In response, the Abkhazian authorities, through the state security services, publicly accused local NGOs of “subversive activities” and pursuing the “interests” of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The de facto authorities portrayed independent civil society as a threat to the so-called statehood of Abkhazia. NGOs called these accusations “slander” and strongly condemned them.

In 2024, debates around the draft law “On Non-Profit Organizations and Persons Performing the Functions of Foreign Agents” after the ratification of the so-called agreements on the transfer of the de facto state property sparked a new wave of criticism against the NGO sector as “agents of a foreign power.” Representatives of Abkhazian civil society, including Alkhas Tagushev from Inva-Assistance, which works to address the needs of persons with disabilities, expressed concern about the announced restrictions. They likened the law to Soviet-era repression and highlighted its threatening impact on freedom of expression.

The demonization campaign took on a particularly dangerous form after the physical attacks on Sokhumi journalist Davit Gobechia and civil society activist Lia Agrba. The incident, which was widely condemned by various organizations and famous members of society, highlights the growing risks faced by critics of the de facto government.

In addition to indirect and direct attacks on Abkhazian civil society, Russian influence has also negatively affected the work of the media. The Russian Ministry of Justice declared three Abkhazian journalists, the founder of Nuzhnaya Gazeta Yizida Chania, the editor of the Telegram channel Ayashari Nizfa Arshba, and the editor of Chegemskaya Pravda Inal Khashig, as “foreign agents.” It is noteworthy that Nizfa Arshba is not a Russian citizen and only has de facto Abkhazian citizenship, while the law “On Non-Profit Organizations and Persons Performing the Functions of Foreign Agents” has not been adopted in de facto Abkhazia, despite debates.

In 2025, the influence of the Russian Federation on the legal and ideological landscape of Abkhazia became even more noticeable. In March, employees of the Russian Investigative Committee visited Abkhazia with the aim of the so-called “harmonization” of local and Russian legislation. The visit was accompanied by a series of arrests on vague charges such as “intimidation and terrorism.” In July 2025, the Russian embassy in Gali hosted a propaganda event titled “Western NGOs as Enemies of the Family Institution,” which aimed to influence public opinion and portray Western-funded NGOs in a negative light. The main messages at the event accused the NGO sector of “destroying traditional families, corrupting youth and undermining demographic stability.”

The systematic persecution and repression of civil society by the de facto Abkhazian government forces, which is a result of Russian influence, is a proof of critical restrictions on freedoms. Pressure and harassment aim to suppress free speech and opposition sentiments, which poses a serious threat to both human rights defenders and organizations, as well as to the stability of the region.