Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze laid wreaths at the Georgian Cadets (Junkers) memorial in Kojori.  Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze also attended the ceremony.

State officials paid tribute to the memory of those who died for Georgia’s independence in February 1921.

According to PM Gharibashvili, February 25 is one of the most tragic days of Georgian history. “This day reminds us how great the merit of our heroes is. Cadets sacrificed their lives for our independence and freedom”, PM said.

Archil Talakvadze stated that the Junkers showed an example of heroism. “Georgia is a sovereign state today, but occupation continues. I’m confident that we will finally achieve success in a fight started by our ancestors”, Talakvadze added.

Georgia marks the 100th anniversary of the Soviet occupation. The Georgian national flags on the government buildings across the country are flying at half-mast on this occasion.

Georgian Parliament declared February 25 as the Day of Soviet Occupation in 2010 to commemorate the hundreds of thousands of victims.

On February 25, 1921, the Russian Red Army seized the capital Tbilisi and overthrew the government elected through universal and free elections. It resulted in the annexation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.