Madrid, February 22, AZERTAC

Azerbaijani Embassy in Spain has organized an event to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. The ceremony was part of a series of events held under “Justice for Khojaly” International Awareness Campaign initiated by vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.

Heads and employees of the diplomatic corps accredited in Spain, state officials, local media, public representatives and Azerbaijani community members attended the event.

Addressing the commemoration, Azerbaijani Ambassador Anar Maharramov provided an insight into the Armenians’ massacre of innocent Azerbaijani citizens in the town of Khojaly on the night of 25-26 February, 1992. He said this crime was committed as part of the Armenian chauvinists` long-lasting policy of aggression, ethnic cleansing and genocide against Azerbaijan. The ambassador mentioned that as the result of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan twenty percent of Azerbaijani territories (Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions) were occupied, thousands of Azerbaijanis were killed, hundreds of cities, towns and villages were destroyed completely and over one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs.

“As the result of the act of genocide in Khojaly 613 people were killed, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly, 1,275 people were taken hostage, the fate of 150 people is still unknown.”

Turkish Ambassador to Spain Cihad Erginay said 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands were occupied and more than one million Azerbaijanis were expelled from their homelands as the result of the Armenian aggression. He described the Khojaly massacre as a crime not only against the Azerbaijani people, but also against all humanity, adding that the perpetrators of the crime must be punished.

Director of the Spanish Foundation for International and Strategic Studies Miguel Alvares de Eulate said the Khojaly massacre is one of the most horrific tragedies of the 20th century which grossly violated international law and human rights conventions.

Following the speeches, a short film was screened highlighting the Khojaly genocide in several languages.

The Embassy distributed Heydar Aliyev Foundation-made books, brochures and CDs about the Khojaly genocide among the participants of the commemorative event.

Nigar Jafarli

Special Correspondent