Georgian Parliament Speaker criticises silence of international donors over April 9 incident on Rustaveli Avenue

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday strongly criticised international donors for remaining silent in the wake of what he described as a "disgraceful act of violence" committed by several NGOs on Rustaveli Avenue during the April 9 commemoration.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that modern-day Rodionovs - referring to the Soviet general who led the April 9, 1989 crackdown - armed with hate-filled rhetoric, blocked the April 9 commemoration participants at the memorial - those who wished to pay tribute to the victims of that day.

He further accused donor organisations of desecrating one of Georgia’s most sacred days by failing to respond to the incident.

“For two days now, the donors of these NGOs have trampled upon one of our nation’s most sacred days. And for two days, they have refused to respond, condemn, or distance themselves from the attackers”, he concluded.

The April 9 tragedy, commemorated annually in Georgia, marks the 1989 crackdown on peaceful protesters by Soviet troops in Tbilisi, in which dozens were killed or injured.