Abkhazian Government Chairman Giorgi Jincharadze: Our Priority Is Not Only Returning to Abkhazia, but Bringing Abkhazians Back

Thirty-three years have passed since the fall of Sukhumi on September 27, 1993, one of the defining events of the war in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia.

Marking the anniversary, Giorgi Jincharadze, Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Government of Georgia’s Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, joined Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze in paying tribute to those killed while defending Georgia’s territorial integrity.

The officials laid wreaths at the memorial to the fallen in Tbilisi.

“September 27 is one of the most tragic dates in Georgia’s recent history. It is an especially painful day for our internally displaced people,” Jincharadze said.

“Today, we honour the memory of our heroes who sacrificed their lives for Georgia and for the belief in a peaceful future in Abkhazia. It is our responsibility to continue this policy of peace, because our foremost priority is not only returning to Abkhazia, but bringing Abkhazians back as well.

“We will do everything we can to achieve this through peace, mutual respect and mutual trust. When that day comes, it will not be the victory of one side over another it will be the victory of humanity over war.

“I believe that day will come, and that we will all gather in Sukhumi on September 27 to celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross,” he said.

Jincharadze also laid flowers at Heroes’ Square in honour of Georgian national heroes Zhiuli Shartava and Geno Adamia.

Representatives of Georgia’s executive and legislative authorities, members of the Tbilisi-based Abkhazian government, lawmakers from the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and war veterans attended the ceremony.

The war in Abkhazia began on August 14, 1992, and lasted 13 months and 13 days, ending with the fall of Sukhumi on September 27, 1993. Around 30,000 people were killed in the conflict, while more than 300,000 were forced from their homes.