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Abkhazia's High Court Annuls Results of Presidential Election


The high court in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia has annulled a disputed presidential election -- hours after declaring the opposition candidate the winner.

But Supreme Court Justice Georgiy Akaba said the action can not be considered legal because it was made under intense pressure after backers of losing candidate Prime Minister Raul Khadjimba stormed the court building.

However, outgoing Abkhaz President Vladislav Ardzinba ordered new elections within two months.

Broadcasters complained that they were taken off the air.

Thursday, the court declared opposition candidate Sergei Bagapsh the winner of the October 3 vote.

Abkhazia, a pro-Russian enclave, has run its own affairs since driving out Georgian troops and civilians in the early 1990's.

The central Georgian government says the election was illegal and insists it will bring Abkhazia under its control.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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