PM Garibashvili, Defence Ministry honour martyrs of Georgian independence

Tbilisi: Minister of Defense of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili in February 1921, at the outskirts of Tbilisi, crowned the memorial of fighters who died in the fights for Georgian independence. 

The Commander of the Defense Forces, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the Ministry of Defense and the heads of the Defense Forces of Georgia were also present during the event.

On the occasion of the occupation day, cadets of the military lyceum named after General Giorgi Kvinitadze, dressed in old uniforms of junkers decorated the memorial of heroes with flowers.

102 years ago, on February 25, 1921, the Russian Red Army captured Tbilisi. Military servants of the Army of the First Republic and the People’s Guard, military school junkers and volunteers sacrificed their lives in the fight for Georgia’s independence. According to the Parliament of Georgia, February 25 is declared as Soviet occupation day.

The Prime minisetr of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, stated:

On February 25, 1921, one of the most tragic events of our history claimed the lives of many of our compatriots – young junks, armed forces fighters and volunteers, peaceful citizens, and changed the development of the country for many decades.

At the same time, February 25 became the day of the beginning of the struggle for the final  Georgian independence. Our freedom today is thanks to those who have self-sacrifice to prove that fight is always worth fighting, that in the end truth and dignity always prevail.

Even today, the historical truth and the example of heroes dedicated to the homeland lead us to new victories, unity and strength of the country.