“The fact that some individuals dared to resubmit the Russian Law (referring to Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence) is the biggest sign of their defeat,” said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, commemorating the April 9 Memorial at the Georgian parliament.

Speaking to journalists about the draft bill on Transparency of Foreign Influence, Salome Zourabichvili stated that no one with Russian flags or pro-Russian intentions in mind would ever win in Georgia.

“Whatever we think about the April 9 tragedy, and indeed, it was a big tragedy, today is the day of a big victory when we know that nothing will threaten Georgia and its independence. The fact that some individuals dared to resubmit the Russian Law on April 8 is the biggest sign of their defeat,” she said, adding she could not predict the response of the West.

“The main thing here is to know what we want. We want what happened on April 9, 1989, or what happened on April 9, 1991. The choice for Georgia is between independence or slavery, Europe or Russia. We know what we want, if you do not, learn and read,” she said.

Today, 35 years have passed since the April 9 tragedy in Tbilisi when the Soviet Army violently dispersed a peaceful, anti-Soviet demonstration in the centre of Tbilisi. The violence dispersal resulted in 21 civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries. April 9 is commemorated as the Day of National Unity.

On the second anniversary of the April 9 tragedy, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia proclaimed Georgian sovereignty and independence from the Soviet Union.