Baku, January 16 (AZERTAC). Head of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in the United Arab Emirates Samir Imanov has met officials of this country on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the 20 January tragedy.

Raising awareness of UAE officials about the tragedy, Imanov said this crime was committed by the Soviet empire in order to support ethnic cleansing policy of Armenians against Azerbaijan.

The head of the Azerbaijani Diaspora pointed out that the Kojaly genocide perpetrated in 1992 by Armenians and generally occupation of Azerbaijan`s 20 percent territory were a continuation of Armenians` planned, insidious and inhumane policy against the Azerbaijani people.

He said leader of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev and defense minister Dmitry Yazov were directly responsible persons for this crime.

Imanov stated that 20 January is a day, which went down in the history of struggle for the freedom and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as a heroism page. He said “tragedy of January 20, which brought to huge losses of innocent people, demonstrated martial spirit, inexorability and pride of our nation, which couldn`t stand the policy of the government of Gorbachev who headed criminal empire treacherous towards Azerbaijan, intended to the freedom and independence. As a result of it, we gained our independence many years we had been dreaming of and our country had achieved sovereignty.”

The diplomat pointed out the day after the tragedy happened, national leader Heydar Aliyev came to permanent representation of Azerbaijan in Moscow, and held there a press conference overtly condemning the Soviet leadership`s actions against the Azerbaijani people. He also noted that thanks to national leader Heydar Aliyev, the tragedy was given a political and legal assessment.

Imanov also handed over the Dubai officials various books and brochures featuring realities about the tragedy.

UAE officials stressed importance of highlighting the international community about these bloody crimes committed against Azerbaijanis.

They also said that after Imanov`s meeting with Director General of the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, USD 1 million was allocated by the UAE to Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs every year.

The head of the Azerbaijani Diaspora also met with leadership of the Dubai State Library to discuss the issue concerning the 20 January tragedy. Imanov presented to the library books, magazines and brochures published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.