The Massacre-April 9th 1989

The strike had focused on the recent Abkhazian separatist call to secede from Georgia. Abkhaz Nationalists and extremists were encouraged by Soviet Government to create total chaos for Georgia and stop any independence movements within the country. A gradual escalations of marches, strikes and various non-co-operations with the Soviet system, all climaxing on April 9th when 16 Gergian women and four men on hunger strike on Government Building steps had been butchered by an angry Soviet Army militia.

" Sudenly the tanks appeared again, this time heading up Rustaveli Avenue towards the Government Building. Nobody attacked them or resisted. Everyone just said 'let them go', and stepped out the way and began to sing songs. But the Special Forces troops were right behind, this time carrying shields and batons. They advanced in through the crowd and surrounded the hunger strikers on the Government Building steps with a cordon. Then all of a sudden the threw gas in the air, and began attacking the protestors-most of whom were young women-and beating them with spades." ( eye witness)

The savagry of Russian soldiers shocked the world as everyone learnd about the events of April massacre next day. The live images were captured by many cameramen as they witnessed the massive slaughter of inocent people

" The troos took out aerosols sprayed them in their faces, broke ampoules full of poison under their noses. Many died right there and then in violent spasms, but withought showing any visible wounds. When they tried to run away they found they were trapped inside the cordon and the soldiers chased them. Meanwhile the men protestors and the Georgian police tried to prevent this and break the cordon; but without weapons(the police had been disarmed two days before). The were attacked too, and many of our Georgian police ended up in hospital. These soldiers behaved like savages, almost as if they were mad. One 17 year old girl was chased half a kilometre and killed with a spade outside the Iveria Hotel" ( Eye Witness )

The events of April 9 gave a rise to popular national movement for liberation of Georgia from Soviet/Russian tyranny. The heroic straggle of Georgian nation for freedom was finally reworded in 1991 when Georgia was declared and recognized as a independent country. Thanks to the sacrifice of patriotic Georgians on April 9, our country restored the long lost statehood (which existed in Georgia for 2000 years). After independence Georgia endured more tragedies and downfalls, however, this ancient nation managed to preserve and maintain its unique culture and history. As Georgia hopes for better future, she will never forget those sons and daughters who gave their lives for her freedom. We stand proud and silent as we remember and honor those people who heroically fell on April 9 1989. May you rest in peace, HERO'S OF GEORGIA!

Victims of Tbilisi Massacre 1989

Aza Adamia ( FEMALE, age 22 )

Eka Bezhanishvili ( FEMALE, age 16 )

Nato Giorgadze ( FEMALE, age 23 )

Tamuna Dolidze ( FEMALE, age 28 )

Tina Enukidze ( FEMALE, age 70 )

Nino Toidze ( FEMALE, age 25 )

Zaira Kikvidze ( FEMALE, age 61 )

Manana Loladze ( FEMALE, age 33 )

Tamar Mamulashvili ( FEMALE, age 50 )

Mamuka Nazadze ( MALE, age 22 )

Nana Tchipashvili ( FEMALE, age 25 )

Tamar Tchovelidze ( FEMALE, age 16 )

Nodar Djangirashvili ( MALE, age 40 )

Mziya Djincharadze ( FEMALE, age 43 )

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Tragedy of Georgia