April 9 is Georgia’s Day of National Unity – a day when Georgia pays tribute to its heroes, — the Latvian Foreign Ministry writes on social media.

“On April 9, 1989, during a peaceful protest, the violence of the Soviet regime claimed the lives of people who fought for a free and independent Georgia. Also, on April 9, 1991, the Supreme Council of Georgia declared the restoration of independence. Eternal memory to all those who fought for freedom and independence. The spirit of freedom is invincible,” the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes on X.

For information: 37 years have passed since the tragedy of April 9, 1989. On the morning of April 9, 1989, units of the Soviet armed forces dispersed a peaceful protest rally in the center of Tbilisi, near the Parliament building, resulting in casualties.

As a result of the crackdown, 21 people were killed. Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the Parliament were poisoned with gas of unknown composition.

On April 9, 1991, the then Supreme Council declared the date as the Day of Restoration of Georgia’s State Independence.