Beslan Butba

Beslan Butba (Abkhaz: Беслан Быҭәба, Georgian: ბესლან ბუთბა) (born February 7, 1960) is a businessman and a former Prime Minister of Abkhazia.

[citation needed] He then founded and became Chairman of the Party of the Economic Development of Abkhazia, which held its first congress on 26 September 2007.

[10] On 1 February 2013, Butba was appointed Special Representative of the President for cooperation with the countries of South and Middle America.

[13] During the election to succeed Ankvab as President, Butba campaigned with opposition leader Raul Khajimba as his Prime Ministerial candidate.

[14] In November 2014, Butba, driving his car without security guards, was attacked and beaten by two drunken men, who were later detained and brought to police for questioning.

[16] Butba was finally dismissed by President Khajimba on 16 March 2015, and temporarily replaced by First Vice Premier Shamil Adzynba.

[16] On 21 April 2015, Butba was appointed Plenipotentary Representative of the President of Abkhazia for Trade and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, with the rank of Vice Premier.