Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, Prime Minister, Giorgi Gakharia and Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhavadze handed over medals and apartments to the family of the late police officer Buta Antadze, Otar Tavartkiladze- wounded in the line of duty and his partner – Avtandil Mzhavanadze.
Family of Buta Antadze, Patrol-inspector Otar Tavartkiladze and his partner Avtandil Mzhavanadze received apartments under the initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhavadze.
Medals were also handed over to the Head of Adjara Patrol Police Division- Mikheil Dilimashvili and Patrol-inspector Irakli Ipshiradze, while citizen Raul Tebidze was granted a certificate of appreciation.
„I would like to address our little guests and Ms. Irma- thank you for coming, it is a great honor to us. Today we would like to express our appreciation, support and respect onece again to our hero policemen and their families. I would also like to recall the incident of 2018, when our colleague – Buta Antadze was in the line of duty and became the victim of the incident, terrible incident I would say. Policeman came under attack, as a result of which he received serious traumas. We did our best, however failed to save Buta’s life unfortunately. Today Buta’s daughter is having a birthday. I would like to congratulate Anastasia, my dear child, and wish you health and happiness. Ms. Irma, you and your children should be proud for the rest of your lives, as Buta was a true hero, who sacrificed his life for the protection and ensuring safety of the civilians. I would like to express my gratitude for that. Herewith, I would like to recall the incident that took place in Batumi during the patrolling activities. Otar Tavartkiladze and Avtandil Mzhavanadze were performing their duties when they were stopped by the civilian who attacked Otar tavartkiladze and inflicted serious injuries in neck and throat areas. Attacker was detained at the place of crime. Mr. Avto made such a swift reaction and demonstrated such a high level of professionalism, that we were all amazed while watching the video footage, depicting the incident. I would like to thank him for this. This evaluation of the event was not made only from the view of the law enforcers, civilians and our friends were also amazed with developing events and confirmed that such events only occur in movies. I would like to express gratitude towards everyone involved in this case. I would also like to thank Mr. Raul for demonstrating civic heroism and support to police officer. If not you, it could all end up badly. I would also like to express my appreciation towards medical personnel involved in urgent surgery procedure. We met them and had a conversation on Otar’s condition, which was serious at that moment. Timely response and those seconds and minutes were crucial. I want to thank you all and also express my gratitude towards Prime Minister for attending the event. Ministry of Internal Affairs is an agency he is closely familiar with. I know how you respect each police officer and the leadership. The efforts you’ve made for the agency is huge in deed and we’ll carry on this way. I would also like to demonstrate my gratitude towards the Chairman of the Adjara Government, Mr. Tornike. On our request his response was immediate and supported us in many ways. This meant a lot for us, for our employees, our heroes and their families”- Stated Minister of Internal Affairs.
“It is a great honor for me to have the opportunity of addressing you today. Of course, it is impossible to talk about police without stressing that everyone, including each citizen and, first of all, the police should realize that peaceful development of our country depends on you. I’ve said this a number of times and will always repeat. Success will not be achieved in any areas, starting from education to economics and tourism, and many others spheres, unless there is peace, tranquility and, most importantly, a sense of justice in the country. Gentlemen, you are responsible for ensuring all of the mentioned.
We must always remember those policemen, who sacrificed their most precious lives - as it was in the case of Buta Antadze. We remember very well the day when this tragic event occurred. We all stood as we could by Buta’s side that day. Of course, we will and must continue this support towards his family and children. I remember the emotional meetings that we had, the perplexities we went through in the process of investigation, and the promises we made. I want to assure you that we will keep these promises to pay off the debt that we own towards homeland, as well as responsibility to the family and children,” stated Giorgi Gakharia.
“Heroism demonstrated by Patrol-inspectors Tavartkiladze and Mzhavanadze is an exemplary behavior for the Georgian policemen, which always exists and will exist within the Georgian police forces, however theses gestures deserve relevant and decent appreciation”- Stated Prime Minister while talking about Otar Tavartkiladze and Avtandil Mzhavanadze.
“This means to take care of our country’s brighter future and taking care of these children’s well-framed upcoming days. Serving the country with honor has a huge importance and I am deeply sure that Buta’s son will pursue his dream of becoming a police officer one day, just like his father. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Government, are doing their minimum that we are obliged to whether it will be an award or social security. However, we should all bear in mind that creating decent everyday lives for decent police officers is and should be the priority of the government. This is what we do and keep it that way in the future. I would like to thank Buta’s family. I wish to all police forces and society in general to have much more policemen like him”,-stated Prime Minister of Georgia in his speech.
“We have welcomed the initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs concerning the encouragement of the police officers for demonstrating heroism and bravery. I bow my head down as a sign of respect to the family of the deceased police officer and would like to state publicly that government stands beside you and carry on this way in the future”-stated the chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhvadze.
The late police officer, Buta Antadze was awarded with the posthumous Medal "For Courage" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The medal was handed over to his spouse.
On June 15, 2018, head of Mukhaestate police unit, Police Major Buta Antadze was killed in the line of duty in Kobuleti.
Patrol-inspector Otar Tavartkiladze who was wounded in the line of duty and his partner, Avtandil Mzhavanadze received medals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs “For Courage” as well. Head of Adjara Patrol Police Division, Mikheil Dilimashvili and Patrol-inspector-Irakli Ipshiradze also received medals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the “Exceptional Merits”.
On December 18 of 2019, Patrol-inspector Otar Tavartkiladze along with his partner- Avtandil Mzhavanadze were patrolling on Tchavtchavadze Sreet, Batumi, when they were stopped by a civilian who stabbed Otar Tavartkiladze unexpectedly with a cold steel. Avtandil Mzhavanadze managed to detain the offender at the place of crime, however in this process he was also wounded in leg area from the same offender. Otar tavartkiladze was transferred to hospital by the Head of Adjara Patrol Police Division- Mikheil Dilimashvili, patrol-Inspector Irakli Ipshiradze and accidental witness, civilian-Raul Tebidze, who demonstrated true civic responsibility and did not abandon the wounded police officer.
