State Minister, President and PM pay tribute to Georgian soldiers killed in Shindisi

State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani, together with President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other members of the government, paid tribute to the Georgian soldiers who were killed in Shindisi during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, the State Minister’s Office said.

Akhvlediani expressed her condolences and support to the family members of the fallen soldiers who gathered at the memorial.

Representatives of the Georgian government attended a memorial service for the 17 soldiers who died heroically in Shindisi. The service was conducted by Bishop Andria, Metropolitan of Gori and Ateni, together with other members of the clergy.

“These very places, the land of Shindisi, preserve the history of one of the most tragic and unequal battles of the Russia-Georgia war, where 17 young heroes, at the cost of their own lives, set an exceptional and everlasting example of defending Georgia’s unity and dignity,” Akhvlediani said.

“Such sacrifice obliges us to protect and strengthen peace, fulfill all of Georgia’s national goals, unite our people through reconciliation, and reunify our country through peace. A united, strong and free Georgia will, of course, be the best tribute to the memory of our heroes, who demonstrated their devotion to their homeland and their values at the cost of their lives,” she added.

Akhvlediani also expressed her condolences to the families of the fallen and paid tribute to their memory.