President Margevlashvili reacts to Georgian citizen’s death in Kiev

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has expressed his deep condolences to the family of Dato Kipiani – the Georgian citizen shot dead in Kiev.

Kipiani, 33, was a supporter of the Ukrainian opposition and was reportedly killed by snipers during the protest rallies in the Ukrainian capital on February 20.

"Dato’s death has torn the hearts of Georgians and Ukrainians apart. That’s why both of the nations say their last farewells to him,” Margvelashvili said in a statement. 

"Dato Kipiani’s son and other family members will always be proud of him. I express my condolences, and offer my support to Dato’s family and his friends”, read the statement by the President’s administration.

Kipiani was an activist of the "Free zone” movement, supported by the United National Movement – the party of former president Mikheil Saakashvili.

Kipiani’s body has already been returned to Georgia. His burial will be financed by Tbilisi City budget. Kipiani is not the only Georgian found dead during the clashes in Kiev. Another citizen, Zurab Khurtsia, died in Kiev after suffering from a heart attack on February 18.

At least 75 people have been killed in Kiev during the violent clashes since the protest rallies began in November 2013.