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Abkhazian lawmaker accused of fatal shooting in the country’s parliament

"Lawmaker Adgur Kharazia, who fled the scene, is suspected of the shooting," acting Interior Minister Robert Kiut said

SUKHUM, December 20. /TASS/. A member of Abkhazian parliament, Adgur Kharazia, has been accused of a fatal shooting in parliament, which left one fellow lawmaker dead and another wounded, acting Interior Minister Robert Kiut has told reporters.

"Lawmaker Adgur Kharazia, who fled the scene, is suspected of the shooting," he said.

Earlier, the country’s Deputy Prosecutor General Ruslan Tyrkba said that the country’s law enforcement officers are taking measures to identify and detain the suspect, and criminal charges will be laid soon.

He explained that the fatal shooting occurred during a session of the parliament’s economic policy committee. A dispute between lawmakers broke out, followed by gunfire, the official said.

The Abkhazian Health Ministry said two members of the country’s parliament, who sustained gunshot wounds, were rushed to the Republican Clinical Hospital in the capital Sukhum. "Doctors did their best, but were unable to save the life of lawmaker Vakhtang Golandzia. Lawmaker Kan Kvarchia has been admitted to the operating table suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and left shoulder, and is now receiving the necessary treatment," the Health Ministry’s press service quoted the hospital’s Chief Doctor Erik Khatkhva as saying.

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