Aslan Kobakhia was born on 23 March 1960 in Lykhny, Gudauta District.
[1] In 1997, Kobakhia became Chairman of the State Committee for Customs in the Government of President Ardzinba under Prime Minister Sergei Bagapsh.
On 18 December 2002, following the appointment of Gennadi Gagulia as Prime Minister, Kobakhia was replaced by Gagra District Head Grigori Enik.
He won a 25.35% plurality in the first round over six other candidates and defeated Akhra Abukhba in the run-off.
[3][4] Kobakhia had been nominated by the opposition Forum for the National Unity of Abkhazia and became one of four of its eleven candidates to be elected to the 35-member Parliament.