Baku, February 26 (AZERTAC). President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today attended a commemorative ceremony in memory of victims of the Khojaly genocide.

Today marks 18 years since the Khojaly massacre, one of the bloodiest crimes in the human history, when the Armenian Armed Forces with the help of the 366th regiment, which consisted mainly of Armenians and was located in Khankendi, razed the ancient Azerbaijani town of Khojaly to the ground.

The atrocities committed by Armenians on that bloody night will never be forgotten as it was not just genocide of the Azerbaijani people it was a crime against humanity.

This mass slaughter committed by the Armenian aggressors against the Azerbaijani people, has led to death of 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 old men. 487 people have been wounded, 1275 civilians taken hostage, and 150 people are missing up to know.

The evil deeds committed in Khojaly can be compared with nothing. As a result of this act of genocide, 8 families have been completely annihilated, the civilians were exterminated with unprecedented cruelty, and the prisoners were subjected to ruthless tortures.

However, the then authorities of Azerbaijan failed to find courage to stand by their people even at such a difficult moment. They did nothing to make the reasons and consequences of the massacre known to the world community.

And it was national leader Heydar Aliyev`s coming to power, at the urgent request of the Azerbaijani people, which ensured first political and legal assessment for the Khojaly tragedy.

Azerbaijan has been taking purposeful measures to ensure that the world states and leading international organizations know the truth about the Khojaly massacre, and that it received due legal assessment on the international level.

Every year on this day, Azerbaijanis across the world remember victims of the Khojaly genocide with large-scaled commemorative events which include holding rallies and meetings, organizing photo exhibitions, demonstrating feature and documentary films and spreading Heydar Aliyev Foundation-made materials. Also on this day the world`s leading newspapers and TV and radio channels feature commemorative stories and programs in memory of victims of the massacre.

In February, 2009 the Organization of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum `s General Coordinator on Intercultural Dialogue Leyla Aliyeva initiated “Justice for Khojaly” campaign, which has been a big success and saw large number of volunteers join it across the world.

The people of Azerbaijan strongly believe that their country, which is today the South Caucasus` major economic power, which enjoys strong international profile and which ensured its military power, will by any means liberate its occupied territories and revenge for its martyrs.

Since early hours of Friday, February 26, thousands of Baku residents have been visiting a memorial to Khojaly victims in the Khatai district.

President Ilham Aliyev put a wreath at the memorial.

Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Milli Majlis Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, MP Mehriban Aliyeva also paid tribute to Khojaly victims by laying flowers at the memorial.

The commemorative ceremony was attended by state and government officials, MPs, ministers, heads of committees and companies, leaders of religious confessions as well as Khojaly massacre survivors.

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