One Year on from the Murder of Archil Tatunashvili

Today, February 22, one year has passed since the murder of the former Georgian soldier Archil Tatunashvili by occupying forces in the region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), currently occupied by Russia. The body of the deceased 35-year-old Georgian citizen was returned to his family for burial only after a month, with more than 100 injuries on his body and internal organs removed.

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, and the members of the Cabinet, visited the Mukhatgverdi Fraternal Cemetery, where they honored the memory of Tatunashvili earlier today. Bakhtadze reiterated his solidarity to the parents of Tatunashvili and expressed his gratitude towards them for rising up a hero.

“Archil Tatunashvili is a Georgian hero, and so are his parents who raised such a valiant man for Georgia,” he stated.  

Bakhtadze strongly focused on the significance of Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili list, currently comprising of 33 people, which provides sanctions against individuals who have violated human rights in the Georgian occupied regions since the 1990s, and said that along with the continuation the investigation process, other names will certainly be added to the given list. He noted, the Georgian government asks its allies for the support regarding the application of sanctions.

“We are using every mechanism to provide this information to the international community, be it UN, OSCE, the EU, or other international platforms. I am convinced that the Georgia state will achieve justice on this heinous crime,” said Bakhtadze.  

Georgia drafts lawsuit against Russia for Tatunashvili’s case in European Court.

A red notice was issued by Interpol in September 2018 for the two individuals, employees of law enforcement agencies of the occupied region of Tskinvali, David Gurstiev and Alik Tabuev, who were charged with the murder of Archil Tatunashvili.

However, currently they are on the territory of Tskhinvali, controlled by Russia and have not been detained so far.

By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya

Image source: Government of Georgia