Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh and key points of Abkhazia's modern history

Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh, 62, died at Moscow clinic No. 83 of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency after undergoing a surgery on his right lung.

After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Abkhazia, which had been an autonomous republic within Georgia since 1931, declared its independence from Tbilisi. Photo: Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh attends a nation-wide gathering of the Abkhaz people.

On August 14, 1992 Georgia sent its troops to Abkhazia but met with armed resistance from local militia and volunteers. After the armed conflict that ended on September 30, 1993, Georgia lost control of Abkhazia, which turned into a self-governed territory that did not recognize Tbilisi’s sovereignty over it. Photo: Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh gives a lecture at the MGIMO Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

On January 12, 2008 Sergei Bagapsh was elected President of the Republic of Abkhazia.

In late August 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Photo: Sergei Bagapsh, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity at a Kremlin ceremony of signing Treaties on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Russia and the Republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

August 8, 2010. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh visit the Russian military base in Gudauta.

Following Russia’s suit, Nicaragua, Venezuela and the tiny Pacific island of Nauru recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Eduard Kokoity and Sergei Bagapsh attend the ceremony of opening the Genocide Museum devoted to the tragic events in South Ossetia in August 2008.

The ceremony of mourning for the deceased President of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh will be held in Moscow on May 30. Bagapsh will be buried in his native village of Dzhgerda in the Ochamchira district of Abkhazia. Photo: Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh at a military parade commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-45 Great Patriotic War.