Opposition politician urges preservation of 1956 protest bullet marks in Rustaveli building

Opposition politician Roman Gotsiridze has pointed to plans to build a hotel in the former communications building on Rustaveli Avenue, highlighting that the bullet marks from the 1956 Soviet crackdown should be preserved.

Gotsiridze highlighted that on 9 March 1956, Soviet forces shot protesters in front of the building, leaving visible bullet traces on its walls for over 70 years. He warned that the historical marks should not be removed during construction.

“Even at the time, to avoid unrest, the traces were left intact. Now a hotel is being built, and no one - especially the Tbilisi city government - should dare destroy these marks. The facade must remain untouched. Ideally, the wall should be covered with glass and given a museum-like appearance as a material symbol of our struggle, preserved for future generations,” Gotsiridze said.

He also expressed concern that the hotel was being constructed by “individuals with connections to Russia,” making a mention of Tamaz Gaiashvili, the owner of Georgian Airways - of  increasing the risk to the historical site.