2020-02-21
On the initiative of the Interior Ministry, and on the decision of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Patrol Inspector Otar Tavartkiladze-who was wounded in December of 2019 in Batumi-and his partner, Patrol Inspector Avtandil Mzhavanadze, have been awarded apartments in Batumi. An apartment was also awarded to the family of Police Officer Murad (Buta) Antadze who was killed in the line of on duty in 2018.
The keys to said apartments were handed to the Interior Ministry's patrol inspectors and the wife of the deceased police officer in Batumi, by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, and Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Tornike Rizhvadze.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, during the ceremony, addressed the police officers and pointed out that success in any field takes composure, calmness, and a sense of justice which they ensure. According to Gakharia, the country's peaceful development rests on the shoulders of police officers.
"I am honored today to have this opportunity to address you. Of course, it is impossible to speak about the police without emphasizing that everyone, each citizen-and, above all else, you the police officers-must understand that the country's peaceful development rests on your shoulders. I have said it before-and I will always repeat-that success in any field is impossible-be it education, economy, tourism, or any other-unless peace, tranquility and, most importantly, a sense of justice are secured in the country. And that is what you do," the Head of Government told the Interior Ministry's officers.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, we must always remember the ultimate sacrifice made by police officers like Buta Antadze, their own lives, and the actions of Patrol Inspectors Otar Tavartkiladze and Avtandil Mzhavanadze must be emulated, examples of excellence that have always been and will be found among the Georgian police force.
"We must always remember police officers like Buta Antadze who have paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives. We all remember that tragic day when it happened. We were all, to the best of our abilities, stood by Buta. Of course, we continue and will continue standing by his family and children. I remember our emotional meetings, the ups and downs we encountered in the process of investigation, and the promises we made. Trust me, we will deliver-firstly, to fulfil our duty to the country, as well as to his family and children.
And what Patrol Inspectors Otar Tavartkiladze and Avtandil Mzhavanadze did is an example to emulate, something always found among the Georgian police, which must be duly and timely appreciated," the Prime Minister emphasized.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, the honorable everyday life of an honorable police officer must be cherished by the state. Also, police officers need support and solidarity from ordinary citizens, the Head of Government added, and cooperation with the police is a civic duty and part of our service to the country. The Prime Minister thanked the Interior Minister and other Interior Ministry officials, along with police officers, for the great cause they are serving daily.
"It is about caring for our country's future and these youth and children. Honorable service to the country is of paramount importance, and I am confident that Buta's son will dream of becoming a police officer when he grows up. This is the least we at the Interior Ministry and the Government can do, be it relevant awards or social assistance. We all must remember that the everyday life of an honorable police officer must be and is cherished by the state, and that is something that we are doing and will continue doing in the future. I wish more honorable police officers like this to our police force and Georgia's citizens," the Prime Minister stated.
Patrol Inspectors Otar Tavartkiladze and Avtandil Mzhavanadze were honored with the Interior Ministry's Medal for Bravery; the same medal was posthumously awarded to Murad (Buta) Antadze and handed to his children.
Also, the Medallion for Exceptional Merits was awarded to Head of the Main Adjara Bureau of the Patrol Police Department Mikheil Dilimashvili and Patrol Inspector Irakli Ipshiradze.
Prime Minister's Press Office