Georgia marks 31st anniversary of tragic April 9 events when Soviet troops killed protesters demanding independence
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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.
— Justin McKenzieSmith (@JustinMcKenzieS) April 9, 2020
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
The UK ambassador to Georgia has tweeted that ‘we remember the struggle for independence.’
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has stated that ‘their sacrifice will never be forgotten.’
Today Georgia remembers the people who died while Soviet troops dispersed a peaceful rally in support of Georgian independence in Tbilisi on April 9, 1989.
Today Georgia remembers those who lost their lives when Moscow-directed Soviet tanks dispersed a peaceful demonstration demanding independence for Georgia 30 years ago, killing 21 people in the process and injuring hundreds of others.
Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze has paid tribute to Georgian soldiers who lost their lives in the struggle against Soviet occupation.
Today, Georgia remembers the youth who tried to stop Russian tanks with their bare hands and other people who were killed by Russian troops as they supported the independence of Georgia 29 years ago.
Celebrated Georgian photo reporter and documentary photographer Giorgi Tsagareli, author of some of the most iconic works illustrating the 1990s civil war in Georgia, died late on Wednesday night at age 73.
Today Georgia remembers the people who lost their lives when Moscow-directed Soviet tanks dispersed a peaceful demonstration demanding independence for Georgia 32 years ago, killing 20 people in the process and injuring hundreds of others.Many of those killed on April 9, 1989 were in between the ages of 16 and 31.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili paid tribute to the victims of the April 9 tragedy on Saturday, marking the 33rd anniversary of the massacre.
On April 9, 1989, the Soviet troops attacked peaceful protesters in Tbilisi, killing 21 people and injuring hundreds.
American, British, German, Lithuanian, Norwegian and Swedish diplomats paid homage to the victims of Georgia’s April 9 tragedy on Saturday, marking the 33rd anniversary since the violent dispersal of a peaceful pro-independence demonstration by Soviet troops in Tbilisi, killing 21 and injuring hundreds of civilians.