The Zar tragedy is the unhealed wound that people of South Ossetia will always remember. This is stated in the address of President Alan Gagloev in connection with the 32nd anniversary of the Zar tragedy.
The terrible tragedy occurred in South Ossetia 32 years ago, which claimed the lives of innocent women, the elderly and children fleeing the horrors of war.⠀
“On May 20, 1992, Ossetia shuddered with horror. However, despite the inhuman cruelty, the terrible act of violence united the Ossetians into one big family, the strength of spirit and will of the people fighting for freedom did not allow the enemy to bring us to our knees,” Gagloev has noted.
He has emphasized that this day remained in memory as the bloodiest in the course of Georgia’s long-term military aggression against the young state.⠀
“Denial and distortion of historical facts, non-recognition of the truth give rise to new atrocities and crimes. Today we once again call on the international community to condemn the genocide of the Ossetians and to hold accountable the Georgian leadership, guilty of crimes against world and humanity,” the appeal says.
The atrocities committed by Georgia, which does not abandon its revanchist motives against South Ossetia, have no statute of limitations, the head of state continued.
“The grief for the victims of Georgian Nazism will never subside. Our grief is immeasurable and time is unable to dull the pain, living in our hearts. The duty of every Ossetian is to preserve the historical truth, and those responsible for the terrible tragedy will sooner or later suffer a well-deserved punishment,” the President noted.
He also expressed confidence that Nazism, which had once again raised its head, would be destroyed, and the memory of the innocent victims would forever remain in the hearts of current and future generations.
On May 20, 1992, on the bypass road near the village of Zar, the Georgian armed formations ambushed the civilians who were trying to escape from the besieged Tskhinval.
The victims of the tragedy, recognized as one of the worst in the modern history of South Ossetia, have become 36 people, 12 were injured. The youngest of the fallen was 11 years old, the oldest was 76.
