TBILISI — 1989 · Major Tragedy
The April 9 Tragedy in Tbilisi
In the early hours of 9 April 1989, Soviet troops broke up a days-long peaceful demonstration in front of the government building on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, where crowds were calling for independence and secession from the USSR. Soldiers used batons, sharpened spades and CN and CS gas; 21 people were killed and hundreds injured, most of the dead being women. Most deaths were caused by crushing in the crowd and inhalation of chemical agents. The Soviet parliament's Sobchak commission held the military responsible. The event strengthened the Georgian independence movement, and Georgia declared independence on 9 April 1991.
- Date
- 1989
- Place
- Rustaveli Avenue, Georgia, Tbilisi, GE
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 41.6975, 44.7990 ↗
Timeline of Events
- April 1989Pro-independence protests began in Tbilisi.
- 9 April 1989Soviet troops dispersed the rally; 21 people died.
- 1989The Sobchak commission held the military responsible.
- 9 April 1991Georgia declared independence.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times — Gorbachev sends aide to calm Soviet Georgia latimes.com ↗
- Wikipedia — April 9 tragedy en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Los Angeles Times
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.