This day was a major turning point for our country. Georgia on April 9 was one thing, and Georgia on April 10 became a mentally different country,” — said Zviad Dzidziguri, one of the leaders of the party “Gakharia - For Georgia,” on PalitraNews’ program Dgis Newsroom, reflecting on the events of April 9, 1989.

According to Dzidziguri, after all these years, the ruling party is taking steps that are turning the country back toward Russia. Therefore, it is logical that citizens do not allow representatives of "Georgian Dream" to approach the April 9 Memorial.

“This day marked a major turning point for our country. Everyone knew the crackdown would happen and blood would be shed. Georgia on April 9 was completely different from Georgia on April 10 — it became a different country mentally. Back then, only 100,000 people from a population of 5.5 million dared to speak about independence and freedom. The blood of those brave young people, who gave their lives for their homeland, played a crucial role in our country rejecting the empire of evil.

As for today, the global order and agenda have changed, but the continuous protests on Rustaveli Avenue in recent months prove that Georgia is still alive and ready to fight. I didn’t expect such a strong fighting spirit in the country. Today, young people — prisoners of conscience — are in jail. These are the youth who are defending the values written in the Constitution — integration into the European Union. And they are in prison precisely for this, which gives them a clear moral advantage over the government.

I believe the ruling party, through its actions, is steering us back toward Russia. They can’t tolerate critical media — they ban it. They ban the non-governmental sector, they ban opposition parties — this is a return to the Soviet Union. And when members of the government that is bringing us back to the USSR are met with protest at the memorial — what’s surprising about that? It’s completely logical.

I witnessed the unity that existed in Georgia after April 9, when we issued the Act of Restoration of Independence, and I am one of its signatories. We have the ability to stand together again and not allow our country to return to the Soviet Union,” Dzidziguri stated.

He also added that the statements made by Irakli Kobakhidze and other government officials regarding the April 9 tragedy reflect Bidzina Ivanishvili’s position.

“Today’s government leaders are flirting with Russia, which means distancing from America and Europe and getting closer to Russia. What Irakli Kobakhidze is saying — that’s Bidzina Ivanishvili’s position. When the Prime Minister doesn’t even mention Russia in his statement, who’s lying here? How can we even talk about it? They can’t say that ‘Soviet Union’s punitive squads killed our boys and girls,’ so how can anyone believe in their sincerity after that?” said Dzidziguri.

In addition, the party leader responded to other current issues, including recent personnel changes. According to him, “These reshuffles confirm that this has nothing to do with development but everything to do with Bidzina Ivanishvili’s personal views.”

“They have created their own opposition in the form of ‘People’s Power.’ I’d like to tell them — don’t criticize the government too harshly, such ‘godless confrontation’ is not acceptable. The government is trying to cleanse the political field when it talks about banning opposition parties, and they made that statement just days after the investigative commission was created. But this attempt by the government could collapse in one minute — as soon as our partners have time for Georgia.

These personnel changes again prove that this is not about development, but about Bidzina Ivanishvili’s personal opinions,” Dzidziguri concluded.