Protesters object to Russian soldiers competing at fencing championship

TBILISI, DFWatch–A protest was held outside Tbilisi’s New Sports Palace, against Russian athletes competed in the World Fencing Championship.

Demonstrators opposed the participation of 25 Russian fencers, out of whom they claim 17 are active military service members.

Protesters carried banners reading “No Victory for Russians in Antsukhelidze’s Country” and “Antsukhelidze is Immortal,” referencing Giorgi Antsukhelidze, a Georgian soldier tortured and killed during the 2008 war, who has become a symbol of national resistance.

Tensions rose when protesters were reportedly removed from the venue for holding signs. Some expressed outrage that Georgian police were, in their view, protecting Russian athletes instead of honoring Georgian war victims.

Russia has occupied the two regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia since the 2008 war. Georgia is not a NATO member but is a partner country and currently hosts an ongoing military exercise – Agile Spirit – with over 10,000 troops from ten countries, running until August 8.