Today, an award ceremony was held at the Orbeliani Palace for 15 Georgian soldiers who were executed by the Soviet Bolshevik regime for their involvement in preparing an anti-Soviet uprising.

At the initiative of the President of Georgia, 15 members of the 'Military Center' were awarded the title of National Hero.

After their death, Alexander Andronikashvili, Konstantine Abkhazi, Elizbar Gulisashvili, Nikoloz Zandukeli, Yason Kereselidze, Levan Klimiashvili, Aleksandre Machavariani, Rostom Muskhelishvili, Simon Mukhran-batoni, Ivane Kutateladze, Farnaoz Karalashvili, Dimitri Sheteli, Varden Tsulukidze, Simon Chiabrishvili, and Giorgi Khimshiashvili were posthumously awarded in Georgia for their special contribution to the struggle for independence, sacrifice for the motherland, and outstanding service to the country.

The President of Georgia handed over the state awards to the National Library, where they will be kept in the 'Kote Abkhaz’s cabinet,' opened in honor of these heroes.

As stated by the President of Georgia during the awarding ceremony, we must acknowledge the greatness of these individuals, whom we are honoring today with the order and title of National Hero.

"These people serve as an example for our country and our youth. As long as there is at least one person in this country ready to sacrifice, the nation will be resilient and have a promising future," said the President of Georgia.

Davit Tevzadze, advisor to the President of Georgia on strategic planning issues, also addressed the descendants of the national heroes.

"Kote Abkhazi didn't become a hero when he expressed his willingness to die for Georgia or right before he was shot; he had already chosen the courage to die when offered to leave Georgia two weeks earlier. He stated something very simple: 'I am a Georgian general, and a general never abandons his soldiers in battle!' Then he took this step.

I have chosen several markers for the definition of heroism because the people whom we reward today fit into these markers: self-sacrifice. Everyone was ready to sacrifice themselves and did so, considering death as nothing. The greatest value is not what you do here, but how you transition to the next world — the manner in which you do it leaves a moral example in people's memory. When you think you are being killed, they give you life," said Davit Tevzadze.

The awarding ceremony was attended by descendants of the shot heroes, representatives of the National Library, and young people.