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Situation in South Ossetia becomes inflammable: opposition does not agree with supreme court decision annulling election results

Immediately after the presidential election South Ossetia found itself on the verge of civil war after the Supreme Court declared the presidential election results null and void

Immediately after the presidential election South Ossetia found itself on the verge of civil war after the Supreme Court declared the presidential election results null and void. The opposition politician Alla Dzhioyeva, who was previously recognized by the Central Election Commission (CEC) the winner over her rival Anatoly Bibilov, proclaimed herself president. After that, the authorities accused her of trying to stage a “colour revolution.” The Russian Foreign Ministry has called on the authorities of the republic to respect the Supreme Court decision. Meanwhile, first shots have been fired in Tskhinval.

On Wednesday, Dzhioyeva’s supporters held a rally, Novye Izvestiya writes. The government building at which protesters gathered, was cordoned off by police officers. Taking part in the action was also Dzhioyeva, who tried to enter the building, but she was not let inside. Shortly thereafter, the protesters tried to break into the CEC office. Here, the State Guard officers from several assault rifles opened warning fire in the air. Nobody was hurt.

Alla Dzhioyeva put forward an ultimatum to the authorities, according to Kommersant. The opposition leader announced that the ultimatum gives the incumbent President Eduard Kokoity one day to resolve the situation. If he secures cancelling of the Supreme Court decision and publication of the final protocol the CEC, he and his family will be guaranteed immunity. Otherwise, she will disclaim “all responsibility for further developments.” On Wednesday night, Alla Dzhioyeva told the publication that “the flywheel cannot be stopped now,” and that her supporters are “prepared to stand up to the end.”

The Prosecutor General’s office has called the action Dzhioyeva’s actions unacceptable, emphasises Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Acting Prosecutor General Eldar Kokoyev said that she is trying to stage a colour revolution.

“What colour revolution - for pity’s sake! The situation is simple - people are fed up with the Kokoity government, they want change,” ex-speaker of the parliament, Communist Party leader Stanislav Kochiyev told the publication. According to him, the votes that were given for Dzhioyeva should be regarded as “against Kokoity.” “Had Bibilov, who is not Kokoity’s man, managed to distance himself from him, there would be no unrest. But he failed, and the people have seen in him the successor of the current president’s policy,” said Kochiyev.

Chief editor of the South Ossetia newspaper Zalina Tskhovrebova agrees with the view that all talks of a colour revolution are groundless. According to her, the situation is not characteristic of revolutions. “I think that it will not come to clashes. I talked to many riot police officers - no one is disposed for the use of force ... Against whom to use it? You see, we’ve got even such families in which someone voted for Dzhioyeva, and someone - for Bibilov,” Tskhovrebova said. According to her forecast, the tensions will most likely gradually subside, and life in the country will resume its natural course - the society is tired and needs peaceful development.

Alla Dzhioyeva and her supporters now hope for Moscow, Moskovsky Komsomolets claims. Meanwhile, Moscow, apparently, does not very much want to see her as president of South Ossetia. However, Kremlin officials clearly do not want to admit that they placed their stake on an obviously hopeless candidate and spent significant public funds on his promotion, emphasises the publication.