Opposition leader accuses PM of disrespecting Shindisi heroes, PM says he ‘honors their sacrifice’

Opposition leader Anna Tsitlidze on Monday criticized Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s recent remarks on the August 2008 war with Russia and the country’s servicemembers killed in the hostilities.

Speaking on behalf of the United National Movement opposition, Tsitlidze accused Kobakhidze and the ruling Georgian Dream party of “morally lacking the right” to honor the Shindisi fighters who gave their lives for Georgia’s freedom on this day 17 years ago.

“Kobakhidze spits on the memory of each of these heroes who fought for freedom and sacrificed their lives for this country,” Tsitlidze said. She added that Georgian Dream’s 13 years in power had been the opposite of the values the heroes stood for.

“Shindisi’s heroes could have surrendered in the face of overwhelming odds, but they chose to fight”, she said. 

Kobakhidze on Monday paid tribute to the Shindisi heroes, saying their sacrifice offered a “heroic example” for all Georgians, especially future generations.

“Their heroism reminds us that love of country and patriotism are the highest values, worth even the greatest sacrifice - life itself. It is our duty to honor the memory of the Shindisi heroes,” Kobakhidze said during a commemoration event.

The Shindisi heroes were 17 Georgian soldiers killed on 11 August 2008 during the Russia–Georgia war. After their unit was ambushed near the village of Shindisi in the Gori municipality of central Georgia, they fought until running out of ammunition. Surrounded, they refused to surrender and were executed by Russian forces.