International legal aspects of incorporation of the Abkhaz principality into the Russian empire: the Supreme charter (1810), the treaty of Bucharest (1812), the convention of Akkerman (1826)

The article analyzes the international legal aspects of the annexation of the Abkhaz principality to the Russian Empire. From the position of an autonomous, vassal principality within the Ottoman Empire (with direct Porte’s control over the Sukhum fortress) in 1810, Abkhazia passed under the auspices of the Russian Empire. The autonomous status of the Abkhazian princedom within the Russian Empire remained until June 1864. The article substantiates the point of view according to which the supreme (imperial) charter of February 17, 1810 did not have full legal force, because, firstly, it was signed by Emperor Alexander I during the Ottoman rule over Abkhazia, and, secondly, it was not published because of fears of the Russian government to complicate diplomatic dialogue with Porte. Under the terms of the Treaty of Bucharest (1812), the Russian government was obliged to return to Turkey all conquests in its Asian provinces. Nevertheless, Sukhum-Kale and the Principality of Abkhazia were held by the Russian side and remained disputed territories until September 25, 1826, when, under the terms of the Convention of Akkerman, the Porte recognized the transfer of Sukhum-Kale, Redut-Kale, and Anaklia under the Russian control. Thus, not the supreme charter of 1810 (which remained officially unpublished), but the 6th article of the Akkerman Convention of 1826 should be recognized as the legal basis for the annexation of Abkhazia to the Russian Empire.

the Principality of Abkhazia, the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, supreme charter, the Treaty of Bucharest, the Convention of Akkerman