Prime Minister: Georgia Will Continue its Consistent Reconciliation Policy

"Two days ago, we laid to rest the body of Archil Tatunashvili, a valiant Georgian lad posthumously awarded the Order of Honor because the enemies could not defile his honor," the Georgian Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvilistated today. "I believe that, as time goes by, everyone will see clearly what a great hero Archil Tatunashvili is.

Those who tortured this brave Georgian man are enemies of Georgia-Ossetia reconciliation and work against the unification of Georgia.  This is why, however hard it may be to say it today, to pronounce these words filled with pain, I state that the Georgian state will continue its consistent reconciliation policy.  I urge Ketevan Tsikhelashvili to discuss without further ado the package of steps prepared by her. I urge Parliament to continue the steps we were taking prior to this tragic incident," he said.  

"Our State will, of course, take an unwavering stance in relation to those responsible for this crime, and will take legal steps, including internationally, to see to it that the perpetrators are punished.

"Russia can in no way avoid responsibility for what happened, and this responsibility is reflected in international resolutions, including the numerous resolutions of the Council of Europe, adopted thanks to the efforts of our diplomatic corps, and which clearly state that the country controlling the occupied territories is responsible for the human rights violations therein.  Of course, what happened is a murder, and it is a great tragedy, but there are particular individuals responsible for it," the PM stated.

"This calamity must make us stronger.  Of course, Archil’s family, his parents who raised a hero, must be paid significant attention, and our State must continue the principled, consistent, and gradual process of Georgia-Ossetia and Georgia-Abkhazia reconciliation, and of the unification of our country. None of us doubts that it will happen, and it is the duty of our generation to accomplish it as soon as possible."

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili on the weekend awarded citizen Archil Tatunashvili, who died in custody in a detention facility in Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali region (“South Ossetia”) on February 23, with an Order of Honor.