Georgia on Thursday marks the 38th birthday of national hero Giorgi Antsukhelidze, who was captured and killed by the Russian occupation forces during the Russia-Georgia war in currently Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region back in 2008, after the soldier refused to fulfil the enemy’s demands to kiss the land and insult the Georgian national flag. 

Antsukhelidze, who was 23-years old at that time, was captured by the enemy on August 9, on the second day of hostilities in Tskhinvali. 

He was beaten to death at the brothers' cemetery near Tskhinvali  school, while the footage of his torture, recorded on an enemy soldier’s phone, went viral  in January 2009. 

Earlier this month Georgia commemorated the 14 anniversary of the death of the national hero, who left behind wife and two children. 

Top Georgian officials also paid tribute to the fallen soldier, calling him a “bright example of heroism and dedication”.