Diplomatic missions in Georgia commemorate victims of April 9, 1989 on 35th anniversary

Diplomatic missions in Georgia on Tuesday commemorated victims of the April 9, 1989, violent dispersal of a peaceful protest by Soviet forces in Tbilisi that killed 21 individuals and injured hundreds.

• Georgia marks anniversary of April 9, 1989 killing of peaceful protesters by Soviet forces

The European Union delegation to Georgia honoured the legacy of “many Georgians who sacrificed their lives for independence”, adding the country “paid a high price” on April 9 “while being liberated from the Soviet rule”.

The United States Embassy in the country paid tribute to the memory of those who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Georgia, stressing “on such days we feel the most strongly why our [American and Georgian] common, highest values - independence, freedom and democracy - unite us so closely”.

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Georgia remembered and honoured “all those who fought” the Soviet Union for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and prosperity 35 years ago, and added the UK “stands with the people of Georgia, for a country that stands strong, free and sovereign”.

In his turn, the German Ambassador to the country commemorated the victims of April 9 “who fought and suffered for freedom, democracy and independence”.

The Swedish Embassy honoured all “who gave their lives for a free Georgia” on this day of national unity and said it would continue to support “ for a united, strong, European Georgia”.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and the country’s Embassy in Georgia also paid tribute to the “courage and sacrifice of those who stood up against the soviet terror in 1989, and restored Georgia’s independence in 1991”, affirming the “firm support” for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In her social media post, Hadas Meitzad, Israeli Ambassador to Georgia, extended her country’s “utmost appreciation” for the display of “bravery and determination” witnessed on April 9th by the Georgian people, pointing out that Georgians “exemplified the true essence of resilience and unwavering aspirations for liberty”.

The Turkish Embassy said 35 years ago on April 9 “the sacrifice of heroic youth was written in golden letters” in history, which “paved the way” for the country to regain its independence.

The date marks the event where the Kremlin-directed military dispersed a demonstration demanding independence for the country, with many of those killed aged between 16 and 31.

The date also commemorates the restoration of Georgia’s independence, as the declaration of independence was passed on the same date two years later, based on the results of a referendum on March 31, where an overwhelming majority of people voted for the country to secede from the Soviet Union.