Georgian government dismantles statue of Joseph Stalin erected in Gori Region

The government of Georgia has taken down a statue of Joseph Stalin erected yesterday by local residents in Gori Region, where the former Soviet leader was born. The bust, erected to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War 2, was immediately dismantled by local authorities.

"The government of Georgia is unequivocal as regards condemnation of the abuses of the Soviet regime in our country and region," Prime Minister Kvirikashvili said.

The Prime Minister noted that the ruling Georgian Dream Coalition in 2013 introduced legal amendments to outlaw the glorification of totalitarianism and the public display of symbols of totalitarianism in an initiative which benefited from close to unanimous support in the Parliament of Georgia.