Hearings on Khojaly genocide held in Turkish parliament
Ankara, February 28 (AZERTAC). Hearings on the Khojaly genocide have been held in a plenary session in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Speaking at the hearings, chairman of Turkey-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group Necdet Unuvar described the Khojaly genocide as the most horrible massacre of the 20th century. He said that on February 26, 1992 the Armenian armed forces helped by 366th motor-infantry regiment of former USSR committed bloodshed against innocent people of Azerbaijan. Unuvar added as a result of the massacre committed in Khojaly 613 innocent civilians including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elderly people were killed, and 1,275 were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 still remained unknown.
He also expressed regret that the international community had not given proper legal assessment to this crime. “We demand the punishment of those who committed the Khojaly genocide, and also the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.”
Member of parliament Sinan Ogan praised Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s statement on the Khojaly tragedy. He added a statement condemning the Khojaly massacre must also be adopted at the plenary session. Ogan said the Turkish parliament must give legal and political assessment to this genocide. He also pointed out the Turkish government should make vigorous efforts towards liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Parliamentarian from the Nationalist Movement Party Mehmet Sandir said the Khojaly massacre was a real genocide, because this tragedy was committed by a decision of the Armenian government and today this country is headed by Sargsyan.
Member of parliament from the Republican People`s Party Muharrem Ince called the Khojaly massacre the most terrible crime in human history. Other MPs at the hearings, including Mehmet Erdogan from the Justice and Development Party demanded the punishment of the perpetuators of the massacre. They said the international community must refrain from double standards and give legal assessment to the Khojaly tragedy. Mehmet Erdogan noted that “the fact that 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories was still under occupation testifies to the continuation of aggressive policy of Armenia”.
A press conference was also held in the Grand National Assembly where MP Resat Dogru said the Turkish parliament must recognize the Khojaly tragedy as genocide.
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