9 April, 1989 Tbilisi Massacre Photo Archive

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9 April, 1989 Tbilisi Massacre – Photo Archive

Cover image: Guram Tsibakhashvili

Photographers: Dada Dadiani / Edvard Rasoev / Elefter Lapachi / Givi Kikvadze / Gogi Tsgareli / Guram Tsibakhashvili / Ioseb Davitashvili / K. Vacheishvili / M. Datikashvili / M. Utiashvili / Sergo Edisherashvili / Shah Aivazov / Vano Shlamov / Vasil Gabunia / Vladimer Valishvili / Yuri Mechitov

Exposition: Koka Vashakidze

On April 9, 1989, Soviet forces violently dispersed peaceful demonstrators in Tbilisi who were demanding independence. Twenty-one innocent lives were lost, and hundreds were injured or poisoned by gas. The tragedy became a defining moment in Georgia’s and Worlds modern history, helping to accelerate the collapse of the Soviet Union and leading to the restoration of the country’s independence.

This archive is dedicated to preserving the visual memory of 9 April Tbilisi Massacre

If you possess photographs or other visual documentation related to the events and are willing to contribute to this archive, please contact us

Georgian

1989, 9 აპრილის ფოტო არქივი

ფოტო ყდაზე: გურამ წიბახაშვილი

ფოტოგრაფები: გივი კიკვაძე / გოგი ცაგარელი / გურამ წიბახაშვილი / დადა დადიანი / ედვარდ რასოევი / ელეფტერ ლაპაჩი / ვანო შლამოვი / ვასილ გაბუნია / ვლადიმერ ვალიშვილი/ იოსებ დავითაშვილი / იური მეჩითოვი / კ. ვაჩეიშვილი / მ. დათიკაშვილი / მ. უტიაშვილი / სერგო ედიშერაშვილი / შაჰ აივაზოვი

ექსპოზიცია: კოკა ვაშაკიძე

Soviet stars on the wall | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Demonstrations

Speeches

Hunger Strikes

Anti Separatist Demonstration in Leselidze

Citizens protest the intention to separate the Autonomous Soviet Socialistic Republic of Abkhazia from the borders of Georgian SSR.

Demonstration was surrounded by the Soviet Soldiers and attended by the First Secretary of the Gudauta District Committee, Konstantin Ozgan

Soon protest will be grown into mass demonstrations demanding independence of Georgia from Soviet Union

V. Gabunia / 1 April, 1989

Demonstration on Tbilisi Hippodrome | V. Gabunia 1989

Protesters Gathering | V. Gabunia 1989

Tbilisi Residents Heading To The Demonstration | V. Gabunia 1989

Demonstration In Tbilisi Demanding Independence from Soviet Union | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Demonstration in Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

On the banner: Glory to independent Georgia | Y. Mechitov 1989

Zviad Gamsakhurdia on the demonstration | Y. Mechitov 1989

People Demands Independence from USSR | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Blocked Rustaveli Ave. | V. Gabunia 1989

I. Tsereteli and M. Kostava leading demonstration | Y. Mechitov 1989

Agenda of the Tbilisi Opera House | V. Gabunia 1989

Group Of Demonstrators In Front Of Opera House | V. Gabunia 1989

Generational Protest | G. Kikvadze 1989

Risen Fists as a symbol of Unity | G. Kikvadze 1989

Kids in the street: God’s our protector | G. Tsagareli 1989

Kids in the street: God's our protector | G. Tsagareli 1989

On The Banner: Theatrical Institute Joins National-Liberational Movement | V. Gabunia 1989

Protester with the icon | G. Tsagareli 1989

Merab Kostava Enters Demonstration | G. Kikvadze 1989

Merab Kostava Gives Speech | G. Kikvadze 1989

Hunger Strike at the steps of Government House | G. Kikvadze 1989

Cheering Crowd at Rustaveli Ave. | Y. Mechitov 1989

Soviet Militia Among People | V. Gabunia 1989

On the Banner: The Institute of Isotopes stands with you | Y. Mechitov 1989

Publishing House Soviet Georgia is striking | Y. Mechitov 1989

Buses Blocking The Roads to Rustaveli ave. | V. Gabunia 1989

Protesters with the cross and Soviet Militia | E. Rasoev 1989

Strike in the Book Stores | Y. Mechitov 1989

Professors of Tbilisi State University join the strike | G. Kikvadze 1989

Protester reads Newspaper | E. Rasoev 1989

Protester With The Flag of Republic of Georgia | V. Gabunia 1989

Protest banners installed at the entrance to the Government House | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Protester with the Poster of Kakutsa Cholokhashvili | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Entrence of Georgian SSR Goverment House | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Zviad Gamsakhurdia Gives Speech | M. Utiashvili 1989

Video Bar: Side Entrance Of The Government House | V, Gabunia 1989

Demonstrators holding flag of Georgian Republic | G. Kikvadze 1989

Protest Gathering at Rustaveli Ave. | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Situation At Rustaveli Ave. | V. Gabunia 1989

Hunger Strike – Day 3 | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Hunger Strike - Day 3 | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Aerial view of the demonstration | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

People light candles on Rustaveli Ave. | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Bon Fire at Night | G. Tsagareli 1989

Prayers | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Despite the threat of a military assault, people remain on site | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

APRIL 07, 1989

TELEGRAM FROM FIRST SECRETARY OF THE GEORGIAN COMMUNIST PARTY, DZHUMBAR I. PATIASHVILI TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION

Incoming enciphered message No. 217/sh

From Tbilisi

Received 7 April 1989

8:40 p.m.

source: Wilson Center

The situation in the Republic has recently worsened and is practically getting out of control. A gathering in the village of Lykhny of the Abkhazian ASSR [Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic] on 18 March of this year which raised the question of the secession of the Autonomous Republic from the GSSR [Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic] served as the pretext. However, events have gone beyond these bounds.

Extremist elements are whipping up nationalist sentiments; calling for strikes and disobedience to authority, are organizing disturbances, and are discrediting Party and government [sovetskiye] bodies. Emergency measures need to be taken in the existing situation.

We consider it necessary:

To immediately bring to criminal and administrative responsibility the extremists who are expressing anti-Soviet, anti-socialist, and anti-Party slogans and appeals (there are legal justifications for this).
Introduce a special situation (curfew) in Tbilisi with the involvement of additional forces of the MVD [Ministry of Internal Affairs] and the ZAKVO [ZakVO, Transcaucasian Military District].
To carry out a number of political, organizational, and administrative measures to stabilize the situation, using Party, government, and administrative activists [aktiv].
Not to permit publications which aggravate the situation access to national and Republic mass media.

We request your consent for points 1, 2, and 4.

Secretary of the CC of the Georgian CP

D. Patiashvili

Preparation of Soviet Military Parade | G. Tsibakhashvili 1988

Aza Adamia – 22 years old

Eka Bejanishvili – 16 Years Old

Eka Chipashvili – 25 Years Old

Gia Karseladze – 25 Years Old

Mamuka Nozadze – 22 Years Old

Manana Loladze – 33 Years Old

Manana Melkadze – 23 Years Old

Marine Chkhonia – 35 Years Old

Mzia Jincharadze – 43 Years Old

Nana Samarguliani – 30 Years Old

Natia Bashaleishvili – 16 Years Old

Nato Giorgadze – 23 Years Old

Nino Toidze – 25 Years Old

Nodar Jangirashvili – 40 Years Old

Shalva Kvasroliashvili – 35 Years Old

Tamar Mamulashvili – 50 Years Old

Tamuna Chovelidze – 16 Years Old

Tamuna Dolidze – 28 Years Old

Tina Enukidze – 70 Years Old

Venera Metreveli – 46 Years Old

Zaira Kikvidze – 61 Years Old

Soldiers

Tanks

Destruction

Tanks stationed on Lenin Square | G. Kikvadze 1989

Morning of 9 April in Tbilisi | G. Kikvadze 1989

Entrance of Georgian SSR Government Building | G. Kikvadze 1989

Aftermath of the hunger strike following military dispersal | G. Kikvadze 1989

Security Agents making account of the remains | G. Kikvadze 1989

Horrified Tbilisi Resident Opposing Soviet Soldier | G. Kikvadze 1989

Security Agents Collecting Materials | G. Kikvadze 1989

Municipality Workers Cleaning The Site | G. Kikvadze 1989

Soviet Troops Marching on Rustaveli | I. Davitashvili 1989

Soviet Soldiers with the Sharpen Shovels | I. Davitashvili 1989

Soviet Forces near Tbilisi State University | I. Davitashvili 1989

Woman with the tanks on The Background at Rustaveli Ave. | Elefter Lapachi 1989

Collecting remains of the Demonstration at Rustaveli Ave. | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Taxi Cab ran over by the Soviet Tank | M. Utiashvili 1989

Soviet Military Presence On The Backstreets | V. Gabunia 1989

Armored Vehicles Behind Telegraph Building | V. Gabunia 1989

Soviet Soldier At The Entrance Of The Telegraph Building | V. Gabunia 1989

Civilians Talking With The Soldiers | V. Gabunia 1989

Soviet Tanks Near Metekhi Church | D. Dadiani 1989

Soldiers on Lenin Square with the Shields and Sharpen Shovels | Y. Mechitov 1989

Soviet Radio Operator Brigade | G. Tsagareli 1989

Officers of Transcaucasian Military District | V. Gabunia 1989

Soviet Militia Between Protesting People and Soldiers | Y. Mechitov 1989

Damaged Road Traffic Militia Car by the Tank | M. Utiashvili 1989

Tank Moving On the Opposite Side in Tbilisi Center | V. Shlamov 1989

Soviet Tanks Controlling Traffic | V. Shlamov 1989

Soldiers of Transcaucasian Military District | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Soviet Officer at Work | G. Tsagareli 1989

Overran civil vehicle | M. Utiashvili 1989

Soldiers Checking Documents of Civilians | G. Kikvadze 1989

Curfew in Tbilisi | G. Tsagareli 1989

Tanks on Baratashvili Bridge | G. Tsagareli 1989

Soldiers Reading Military Newspaper “Vedomosti” | V. Shlamov 1989

Soldiers Reading Military Newspaper "Vedomosti" | V. Shlamov 1989

Tbilisi Post Office Full Of Soviet Soldiers | V. Gabunia 1989

Mother and Son at the Military Checkpoint | K. Vacheishvili 1989

Tbilisi Residents in the Streets | Y. Mechitov 1989

One of the Wounded Civilians | G. Tsagareli 1989

Gathering at the yard of Sioni Cathedral | Y. Mechitov 1989

People Gathering at Different Locations | Y. Mechitov 1989

Municipality Worker Cleaning Around The Soviet Tank | Y. Mechitov 1989

Civilians And Military Technique In The Streets | Y. Mechitov 1989

Yard of Tbilisi State University | G. Kikvadze 1989

In front of Tbilisi Tea House | D. Dadiani 1989

Soviet Military Technique And Civilians On The Back Streets | V. Valishvili 1989

APRIL 09, 1989

TELEGRAM FROM FIRST SECRETARY OF THE GEORGIAN COMMUNIST PARTY, DZHUMBAR I. PATIASHVILI TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (CC) OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION (CPSU)

This document was made possible with support from the Leon Levy Foundation

From Tbilisi

Received 9 April 1989

source: Wilson Centre

In Tbilisi after 21:00 p.m. on the night of 8 April 1989, in spite of all measures being taken by the Party, government, and the forces of law and order, the situation at a demonstration of about 15,000 people at the Republic Government House and also in other parts of the city began to be inflamed by extremists and got out of control. Besides anti-Soviet, anti-socialist, and anti-Russian exhortations, appeals began to be spread by extremists for physical violence against Communists, leaders of the Republic, and members of their families. The demonstrators, among whom were many drunks and drug users, were called upon to organize the entire population of the Republic to strike, commit civil disobedience, and violence against those who did not support them. Groups of extremists began to be delegated together with demonstrators to nearby cities and rayons of the Republic. An attempt was made in the city of Rustavi to seize a metallurgical works.

The leaders of the so-called “National Liberation Movement” have begun to publicize their plans to seize power in the Republic. In order to ensure public order and prevent unforeseeable consequences in this situation, a decision was made at 4:00 a.m. to use force to clear the square and Government House of the demonstrators. Subunits of the Republic MVD and the Transcaucasian Military District were used in accordance with a plan developed earlier by competent authorities. As they approached the place where the demonstration was being held, its participants were called upon by leaders of the Republic, members of the CP CC, Party and government activists, and also the Catholicos of Georgia Ilya II to stop the demonstration and peacefully disperse. However, the demonstrators did not react to this. In turn, the organizers of the demonstration inflamed passions to hysteria, calling upon them not to spare their blood or their lives to confront the forces of law and order.

The MVD subunits and ZAKVO [sic] troops did not use small arms or silent weapons [kholodnoye oruzhiye]. Instructions about the cautious treatment of women and adolescents were strictly observed. As the first ranks of the demonstrators were driven back, accompanied by fierce resistance of extremists using sticks and stones, the crowd began to become disorderly and moved toward a youth lying on a sidewalk who had declared a hunger strike. Moreover, there were quite a few provocateurs in the crowd who were using silent weapons. As a result of the crush which had formed, 16 people died (13 young women and 3 [young] men) and more than 100 received injuries of varying severity, among whom were 22 servicemen (13 of them were hospitalized). First aid was given to the victims.

At the present time the square at Government House has been cleared of demonstrators and has been taken under guard by troops. The necessary measures are being taken to detain and arrest the ringleaders of the disorders and prevent new demonstrations. A governmental commission has been formed headed by the Chairman of the Georgian SSR Council of Ministers, Cde. Z.A. Chkheidze. In connection with the tragic consequences of the measures which were taken.

A plenum of the CC GCP is planned for today to review the current situation and identify the measures ensuing from it.

We request your agreement to introduce a curfew in the city of Tbilisi beginning today in order to prevent mass disorders and to stabilize the situation.

Secretary of the CC GCP, D. Patiashvili

Shevardznadze Arrives in Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

Public Demanding New Elections and Pluralism | Y. Mechitov 1989

Gorbachev Sends Aide to Calm Soviet Georgia

Los Angeles Times, April 11, 1989

MASHA HAMILTON | Times Staff Writer

MOSCOW — President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, moving quickly to avert further outbreaks of violent nationalist unrest that could threaten his policy of democratization, rushed Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze to the Republic of Georgia to appeal for calm after at least 17 people were killed in clashes with Soviet security forces.

The Kremlin, in a series of lightning steps aimed at restoring peace to the southern republic, also sent condolences to the families of those killed, declared today an official day of mourning and established a commission to investigate the reasons for the rioting.

But the Foreign Ministry acknowledged that, despite Moscow’s efforts, scattered demonstrations continued Monday in the republic’s capital of Tbilisi, where the troop presence was beefed up. Armored personnel carriers and tanks were reportedly parked in public squares and a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed. A general strike closed schools, stores and factories and halted some mass transit.

The State Department, in a statement issued in Washington on Monday, called on Soviet authorities to use restraint in dealing with “those wishing to exercise their right to peaceful political expression.

Soviet Propaganda TV Channel | Y. Mechitov 1989

Death Toll

Funerals

Mourning

Nana Makharadze With The Flag | Y. Mechitov 1989

Mass Procession To Kukia Cemetery | A. Aivazov 1989

Funerals of 9 April Victims | S. Aivazov 1989

Young Man During National Mourning | Y. Mechitov 1989

Funerals at One of The Victims Living House | Y. Mechitov 1989

Woman With Black Ribbon on the head | G. Tsagareli 1989

Funeral procession | Y. Mechitov 1989

Boy With The Portrait of the Killed Victim | Y. Mechitov 1989

Crying Woman Attends Funeral | G. Tsagareli 1989

Black Flags of Mourning at Melikishvili Ave. | G. Tsagareli 1989

Another Victim Procession in Tbilisi | G. Tsagareli 1989

The entrance of the victim’s residential building before the funeral | S. Aivazov 1989

Black mourning flags on the balconies | S. Aivazov 1989

Coffins Carried out across Tbilisi Streets | Y. Mechitov 1989

Mother at the grave of a 9 April Victim | S. Aivazov 1989

Wounded Young Men at Funeral | Y. Mechitov 1989

Possibly: Civilians Reading LIsts of Killed and Wounded | Y. Mechitov 1989

Portrait of Young Woman Killed by Soviet Troops | Y. Mechitov 1989

Georgian youth mourns and resists | Y. Mechitov 1989

Residents of Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

Detail of Human Chain | Y. Mechetov 1989

Photographers trying to capture scales of Procession | Y. Mechitov 1989

Sioni Cathedral Wall with the Portraits of Victims | G. Tsibakashvili 1989

Portraits of the victims | G. Tsagareli 1989

Woman at the wall of Mourning | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Photographer at Work | S. Aivazov 1989

Hospitalized woman from the Demonstration | Y. Mechitov 1989

Emergency Vehicle During Public Memorial Service | Y. Mechitov 1989

Generations Waiting To Enter Sioni Cathedral | Y. Mechitov 1989

Public Memorial Service at Sioni Cathedral | Y. Mechitov 1989

Candles in the Yard | Y. Mechitov 1989

Candles on Kashveti Church outer wall | Y. Mechitov 1989

People Lighting Candles in Undergo Pass at Rustaveli Ave. | Y. Mechitov 1989

On The Banner: You will drown in our blood, murderers | Y. Mechitov 1989

Flags of Independent Georgia and Armenia | M. Datikashvili 1989

Lowered flags of Georgian Republic at Rustaveli Ave. | Y. Mechitov 1989

Aftermath Demonstration in Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

Aerial View of Rustaveli Ave. with the Flowers | V. Shlamov 1989

Flowers Brought By Civilians At the SIte of the Assault | S. Edisherashvili 1989

People Carrying Flowers at the Entrance of Government House | S. Edisherashvili 1989

Young woman laying flowers at the 9 April site | G. Tsagareli 1989

Women with the portrait of one of The Victims at Rustaveli Ave, | G. Tsagareli 1989

Young Man with the Black Flag | G. Tsagareli 1989

People Hanging Black Ribbons on The Tree | G. Kikvadze 1989

People with the flowers | S. Edisherashvili 1989

9 April – laid down flowers | G. Kikvadze 1989

Portraits of the victims at the steps of Government Building | G. Tsagareli 1989

Flowers at Rustaveli Ave. | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

Citizens kneeling with the lowered flags of the Georgian Republic | M. Datikashvili 1989

Security Agents Taking Away Flowers From The Site | Y. Mechitov 1989

Public Gathering in Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

Protesters opposing the removal of the flowers | Y. Mechitov 1989

The act of clearing the flowers | Y. Mechitov 1989

Fight Between Protesters and Soviet Militia | Y. Mechitov 1989

Protesters Taking Steps of Georgian SSR Government Building | Y. Mechitov 1989

Performance at 40th Day of Mourning | Y. Mechitov 1989

National-Liberational Movement Leaders: Merab Kostava and Zviad Gamsakhurdia attending Demonstration After 9 April Massacre | G. Kikvadze 1989

Remains of Lenin Statue at Lenin Square, Tbilisi | G. Tsibakhashvili 1990

Consequences

Investigation

Collapse of USSR

Independence

Andrei Sakharov Arrives in Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

Andrei Sakharov – Soviet physicist and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, for emphasizing human rights around the world, arrives in Tbilisi

Report of a Medical Mission to Soviet Georgia by Physicians for Human Rights / February, 1990

At the invitation of Dr. Sakharov and his wife, Dr. Elena Bonner, and Dr. Irakli Menagarshivili, the Georgian Minister of Health, the PHR team arrives in Tbilisi. Drs. Sakharov and Bonner extend the invitation on behalf of some victims of April 9, who had staged a hunger strike in the hospital where they were being treated. The hunger strikers had demanded that independent foreign observers to be allowed to take part in the investigation.

Children from schools located in different parts of the city begin to seek medical attention, complaining of a constellation of symptoms initially attributed to toxic exposure.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Andrei Sakharov in Tbilisi | Y. Mechitov 1989

Demolishing Soviet Symbols At the Entrance of Georgian SSR Government Building

Y. Mechitov / 1989

The vandalized statue of Sergo Ordzhonikidze | G. Tsibakhashvili 1989

April 9 Memorial Demonstration in Tbilisi | S. Aivazov 1989

Zviad Gamsakhurdia at the Demonstration | S. Aivazov 1989

School Kids joining the Demonstration | Y. Mechitov 1989

Zviad Gamsakhurdia is about to Become 1st President of Georgia | Y. Mechitov 1989

Tbilisi Resident Posing With Demolished Lenin Statue | G. Tsibakhashvili 1990

Tbilisi, Lenin Square | G. Tsibakhashvili 1990

National Stadium: Eternal Memory To Innocent Victims of April 9 | S. Aivazov 1990

Photographers:

Dada Dadiani / Edvard Rasoev / Elefter Lapachi / Givi Kikvadze / Gogi Tsgareli / Guram Tsibakhashvili / Ioseb Davitashvili / K. Vacheishvili / M. Datikashvili / M. Utiashvili / Sergo Edisherashvili / Shah Aivazov / Vano Shlamov / Vasil Gabunia / Vladimer Valishvili / Yuri Mechitov

materials from:

National Archive of Georgia, Private Archives of the Authors, Burusi

In Partnership:

AhuAhu Foundation, National Archives of Georgia

All published materials are presented courtesy of their respective rights holders