The President of Georgia has posthumously awarded Data Vanishvili, the symbol of fight against Russian occupation, for his civil dedication.

“He is a symbol of the injustice and unbearable situation in which our compatriots live on the both sides of the occupation line. Today, on the 30th anniversary of Independence Referendum Day, I would like to present the Presidential Medal to Data Vanishvili’s family as a sign of our greatest respect and hope that we will overcome this situation, Georgia will be united and people will be at peace in their villages”, - said Salome Zourabichvili.