In February, 1921 Russia established Soviet Democratic Republic of Georgia. The new country was ruled by the Bolshevik faction of the Soviet Democratic Party. It meant occupation of the country. The Georgians couldn’t put up with it. Soon they came to themselves and realized terrible situation of the country. It was followed by permanent public demonstrations and uprisings against Bolshevik Russia and the Red Army. In reply the Bureau of the Central Committee of Communist Party (Bolshevik) ruled by Sergo Ordzhonikidze concluded bloody oppression against the Georgians.

The Great Purge began in the country. Those people who didn’t support the Communist Party (Bolshevik) were strictly punished. Some of them were arrested, some of them – sent into exile or executed. Persecuted people were as follows: political and public figures, members of the Constituent Assembly and the workers and peasants parties.

The 11th Red Army acquired punitive functions in Georgia. In May, 1921 its name was changed and was called ‘Choni’ [special operational detachment]. On October 7, Resolution was passed about forming divisions of a special operational detachment. Before that, on April 4, the Georgian Revkom accepted the Resolution passed by the Revolutionary Tribunal.

Thus, in favour of the police and the Cheka, detention, execution, exile, robbery, ruthlessness and terror became parts of everyday life in the country.

The following people were punished during the Great Purge: Grigol Lordkipanidze, deputy leader of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (d. 23364), Parmen Chichinadze, war minister, Grigol Giorgadze, former War Minister (d.2257), Giorgi Mazniashvili, a famous general, Silibistro Jibladze and Isidore Ramishvili, well-known figures (d. 22331)…

Many students trying to save the independence of their country were punished during the Great Purge.

The invading Soviets subjected the Georgian Orthodox Church to intense harassment. Hundreds of churches were closed and destroyed by the government, 1500 in all. Many of them were used as store-house or stable. Hundreds of monks were executed or imprisoned during Stalin’s Purges. The property of the churches and monasteries were confiscated and sold abroad for a mere trifle. Every step taken by the Soviet authorities insulted people’s believes, moral, traditions and culture.

Very important is the story of how Ambrose (Besarion) Khelaia, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia was arrested. He was known for his opposition to the Soviet regime. His only crime was that he demanded to restore Georgia’s sovereignty. He appealed to the Soviet authorities with the following words: ‘My soul belongs to God, my heart belongs to my country and my body – to you, butchers, and you can do with it anything you want!’

In summer, 1921 a new wave of uprising spread through Georgia. The Svanetians were first who hoisted anti Soviet flag. The guerrilla detachment led by Mosostr Dadeshkeliani, Nestor Gardapkhadze (d.24333) and Bidzina Pirveli, disarmed the Svaneti-based Red Army units and overthrew the Soviet regime. The fighting in Svaneti continued for six months, but the Soviet troops managed to curb the spread of uprising into neighbouring regions. Finally, the fresh red Army reinforcement crushed the revolt.

The revolt in Racha-Lechkhumi was unsuccessful also.

In spite of all punitive measures taken by Soviet authorities they couldn’t break the Georgians who expressed their protest through uprisings.

On November 5, 1921 meeting of the representatives from Transcaucasian countries was held. The Military Committee was formed at the meeting which was to prepare an uprising through Caucasus.

In March, 1922 Georgia was forcibly incorporated into Transcaucasian SFSR, and on December 30 – into the Soviet Union. It became the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Georgian authorities were only executors of Moscow’s will.

The Georgians rallied to overthrow the regime of Russian Bolsheviks. The guerillas (Tulni) against the Soviet authorities were formed in every region. There were ten partisan detachments in the East Georgia. The guerrilla ruled by Mikheil Lashkarashvili was distinguished in Kartli. The partisan movement became very active in Kakheti and Pshav-Khevsureti in 1922. Kakutsa (Kaikhosro) Cholokashvili led a guerrilla resistance against the Bolshevik regime established by the Soviet Russian Red Army in 1921.

The Soviet authorities did their best to suppress the revolt with force.

Punitive expeditions were formed against partisan detachments in every region. They accused peaceful people of supporting the criminal gangs. For this reason, these people were executed and their houses and property were burnt down. I. Talakhadze was a person who shot anyone in Guria deemed to be doubtful.

Many members of national liberation movement died during the Great Purge. Konstantine (Kote) Abkhazi headed the Military Center of Committee for Independence of Georgia. In March 1923, Abkhazi and the following members of the Damkom were arrested by the GPU, and were shot for anti-Soviet activities on May 19, 1923: military commanders - Alexander Andronikashvili, Varden Tsulukidze (d. 22313); colonels – Giorgi Khimshiashvili, Elizbar Gulisashvili, Ivane Kutateladze (d. 23535), Alexandre Machavariani (d. 23480), Dimitri Chrdileli (d. 23511) and Rostom Muskhelishvili; military officers – Simon Bagrationi-Mukhraneli, Parnaoz Karalashvili, Levan Klimiashvili (d. 23508), Mikheil Zandukeli, Iason Kereselidze (d. 22319), Simon Chiabrishvili, Ivane Kutateladze, Giorgi (Gogita) Paghava.Soon after Levan Razikashvili (son of Vazha Pshavela) shared their fortune (d. 2370).