Georgia marks the 37th anniversary of the April 9, 1989, massacre of pro-independence demonstrators on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue by the Soviet army, which killed 21 people, most of them women, and injured hundreds with poisonous gas and spades.
Georgia also marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of independence. On April 9, 1991, two years after the massacre, the Supreme Council adopted the Act of Independence based on the results of the March 31, 1991, referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of voters, around 99%, opted for independence from the 70-year Soviet rule.
The April 9 Act was based on the Act of Independence of Georgia of 26 May 1918, which established the Democratic Republic of Georgia that lasted until Soviet occupation in 1921.
This year’s commemoration comes amid a protracted political crisis in Georgia, marked by Georgian Dream’s crackdown on dissent, ongoing anti-government protests, and the ruling party’s persisting isolation from the country’s traditional Western partners.
All-Night Vigil, Morning Tributes
A group of protesters and activists stayed overnight in the rain in front of the Parliament building, the site of the 1989 massacre. Citizens, officials, and diplomats usually arrive there at the April 9 Memorial from the morning to pay tribute to those killed by the Soviet troops in 1989.
Around 8 a.m., U.S. Acting Ambassador to Georgia Alan Purcell arrived at the memorial and laid flowers. Before 9 a.m., ambassadors and representatives from the Nordic-Baltic embassies arrived, laying flowers to honor the victims of the massacre.
EU Ambassador Pawel Herczyński and Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Petr Kubernát, visited the memorial around 10:30 a.m. German Ambassador Peter Fischer arrived later in the afternoon to pay tribute. Crowds were heard shouting “Thank you” as they arrived.
Tensions Around April 9 Memorial, GD Officials’ Arrival
Tensions flared at times around the memorial. In one of the first incidents around 10:40 a.m., several men got involved in a physical and verbal confrontation. Police reportedly arrested Shako Baghdoshvili, who is said to be an active participant in anti-government protests. Later in the day, the media reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs opened an investigation into alleged “group violence,” though no one has been charged officially yet.
Georgian Dream officials, who skipped the memorial last year, arrived shortly after, around 11 a.m. Their arrival followed a large police mobilization, which cleared the area by pushing back protesters, while an honor guard formed a corridor to the memorial.
Among those who arrived to pay tribute to those killed 37 years ago by Soviet troops were Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and his cabinet members, Speaker of the disputed Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili, and several MPs.
Protesters, pushed back several dozen meters from the memorial, shouted “Slaves” and “Russians” at the GD officials, who reached the site through a designated corridor to lay flowers. After paying tribute, they left the scene without commenting to the press.
Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, who was also present at the scene, told the media, “That representatives of this regime dare to come here today while serving Russia that killed people here is a kind of absurd theater.”
In a separate incident around midday, police detained an elderly man who insulted Bidzina Ivanishvili with homophobic slurs. According to RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, the Interior Ministry said he was arrested under administrative procedure.
In another incident at around 1 p.m., a Georgian Dream member in Tbilisi City Hall (Sakrebulo), Beka Davituliani, who was trying to speak to journalists in front of the memorial, pushed activist Mariam Mekantsishvili aside with his hands after she was shouting “slave” and “traitor,” among others, at him.
Opposition Leaders Speak at April 9 Memorial
Leaders of opposition parties, both members and non-members of the recently launched nine-party Opposition Alliance, also arrived at the April 9 Memorial to pay tribute to those who fell on this day while facing Soviet troops.
“The sacrifice made on April 9, 1989, accelerated the achievement of our independence,” said Badri Japaridze of Lelo, which is not a member of the Opposition Alliance, as quoted by Interpressnews. “That is why, on the one hand, it is a day of mourning, when we remember those who lost their lives; on the other, it is a date when we recall the unique unity that existed on April 9, 1991, when we restored our country’s independence,” he added.
“April 9 is a special day. We have an example that a united Georgia can achieve any goal, while a divided one is defeated,” Grigol Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Aghmashenebli, said, as quoted by RFE/RL’s Georgian Service. “Our goal is to unite and fulfill a historic mission – to make Georgia one of the developed countries and, most importantly, a unified state,” he added.
“35 years after gaining independence, we now have to save that independence from the Russian regime, which leaves Georgia alone facing Russia,” Tamar Chergoleishvili, leader of the Federalists party, said at the Memorial, as quoted by Tabula. “Our history shows that Georgia’s independence cannot survive in the face of Russia without a close strategic partnership with the West,” she added. “The only way to preserve independence is to change the Russian regime peacefully.”
“Today, the country has a pseudo-government that cannot protect the values for which people gave their lives on April 9, 1989,” said Tina Bokuchava, leader of the United National Movement, as quoted by the Interpressnews agency. “Moreover, today there are people imprisoned who are fighting to defend these very values,” she added.
Statements from Diplomatic Missions, International Partners
U.S. Embassy: “On April 9, we remember the Soviet army’s violence in 1989. Today, 37 years later, we pay tribute to the 21 Georgians who lost their lives and the hundreds who were injured while peacefully demonstrating for Georgia’s freedom.”
EU Delegation Georgia: “April 9 is a painful reminder of Soviet violence against peaceful demonstrators, whose defiance became a symbol of Georgia’s pursuit of freedom, dignity and independence. We honor those who never saw independence restored just 2 years later. The EU reaffirms its steadfast support.”
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry: “Together with the people of Georgia, on Georgia’s Day of National Unity, we remember tragic events of 1989 and celebrate the restoration of Independence on April 9, 1991. Lithuania honors the courage and sacrifice of those who fought – and continue to fight – for a democratic and EU future.”
Latvian Embassy: “On Georgia’s National Unity Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for its independence and freedom. Latvia reaffirms its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the EU aspirations of its people.”
Estonian Embassy: “Today, on the Day of National Unity of Georgia, we commemorate together with the Georgian people those who on April 9, 1989, stood for the independence and sovereignty of their country and paid the highest price for it – their lives.”
Polish Embassy: “On 9 April 1989, peaceful demonstrators in Tbilisi were killed by the Soviet regime. With our Georgian friends, we commemorate those who fought and suffered for free, independent and democratic Georgia. Standing against Soviet oppression, Poland and Georgia shared common struggle then. We continue to be united with Georgian society aiming at free, democratic and European future.”
Czech Embassy: “The Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Petr Kubernát, paid tribute to the fallen heroes at the April 9 memorial, honoring the courage and self-sacrifice of those who have their lives in the struggle for freedom and independence. Their memory will remain an important part of Georgia’s history.”
Israeli Embassy: “On April 9, we honor the courage and resilience of the Georgian people in their steadfast defense of freedom and national dignity. Freedom and statehood are not just principles, but deeply shared values that unite our two nations and our histories. The Embassy of Israel to Georgia pays heartfelt tribute to the memory of those who stood bravely for Georgia’s independence during the April 9, 1989 tragedy. Their sacrifice continues to inspire and will never be forgotten.”
Ukrainian Embassy: “On the Day of National Unity, we, together with the people of Georgia, pay tribute to peaceful demonstrators who died on April 9, 1989, and all those who fought for Georgia’s freedom, independence, and democratic future. These events were pivotal for Georgia and Georgian society and have forever been remembered as a symbol of the pursuit of freedom and national independence.”
Anna Lyberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia: “On 9 April 1989, Soviet troops crushed peaceful Georgian demonstrators for freedom. Today, together with Nordoc-Baltic colleagues, we laid flowers to honor those who gave their lives for a free Georgia. We continue our support for a united, European, Georgia.”
Anne Toft Sørensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Georgia: “Today the Nordic-Baltic embassies laid flowers to honor the victims of the tragic events of April 9, 1989, when peaceful demonstrators in Tbilisi were violently dispersed while standing for freedom and independence. Denmark firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and independence.”
French Embassy: “On April 9, France, alongside all Georgians, commemorates the Day of National Unity, marking the restoration of independence first proclaimed in 1918. On this occasion, France reaffirms full and unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Standing with the Georgian people, it remains committed to a peaceful, free, and European future. April 9 is also the day of remembrance, marking the tragic crackdown on peaceful demonstrators on April 9, 1989, during which Georgian citizens lost their lives while defending their aspirations for freedom against Soviet rule. To honor their memory, the French Embassy in Georgia and the French School of the Caucasus visited the memorial to the victims in front of Parliament, where flowers were laid in tribute to their courage.”
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