Georgia marks 31st anniversary of tragic April 9 events when Soviet troops killed protesters demanding independence

Today Georgia remembers those who lost their lives when Moscow-directed Soviet tanks dispersed a peaceful demonstration demanding independence for Georgia 31 years ago, killing 21 people in the process and injuring hundreds of others.

Many of those killed on 9 April 1989 were in between the ages of 16 and 31.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions people were not able to gather at the April 9 memorial in Tbilisi. Photo: 1TV.

• Click here to read the full history behind the April 9 tragedy.

The date is recognised as a public holiday in Georgia.

Two years later in 1991, the first President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia declared the independence of Georgia at the plenary session of the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi.

The video made by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia from the photos in the National Archive, depicts April 9 related situation. 

For the first time in 31 years people have not gathered at the parliament building in Tbilisi to honour the memory of people killed on the day and mark the date due to the special measures taken in the country against the coronavirus. 

The US Embassy has stated that ‘we honor the memory of those who did not survive to see the freedom and independence they struggled to ensure.’

9 აპრილი / 9 April 1989.

დღეს, ვიგონებთ მათ ვინც საქართველოს დამოუკიდებლობისთვის თავი გაწირა. გვახსოვს თავისუფლებისთვის ბრძოლა.

Today, we remember those who gave their lives for #Georgia’s freedom. We remember the struggle for independence. pic.twitter.com/7yHAZ120HR

— Justin McKenzieSmith (@JustinMcKenzieS) April 9, 2020