Marmara University hosts conference on 30th anniversary of Khojaly genocide

A conference on the 30th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held at Marmara University in Istanbul, Report informs.

At the conference organized by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul and Marmara University, the memory of the martyrs was first commemorated with a minute of silence, and a video reflecting the Khojaly genocide was shown.

Consul General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul Narmina Mustafayeva briefed the participants on the Khojaly genocide and spoke about the steps taken by the country to introduce the genocide to the world: "Known worldwide for its strong diaspora, Armenia has managed to spread its lies to the international community. After that, Azerbaijan began to work to convey the real truth to the world. Campaigns such as 'Justice for Khojaly' launched by the Azerbaijani side have started to contribute in this direction, and finally, international organizations have already begun to recognize the Khojaly genocide and sign related documents."

Stating that the Azerbaijani parliament declared the Khojaly massacre a genocide in 1994, the Consul General recalled the critical steps taken by national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev to promote the genocide in the world.

"The Khojaly genocide is a turning point for Azerbaijan. Before the Khojaly genocide, Azerbaijanis did not believe that Armenians would be so cruel. Armenia continued its policy of targeting Azerbaijani civilians. During the Patriotic War, Armenians targeted the civilians in Azerbaijan, and as a result, many people were killed. The glorious Victory of the Patriotic War gladded our people's hearts, who were subjected to Khojaly and many other massacres. All we want now is to bring the perpetrators of the Khojaly genocide to justice," Mustafayeva said.

Professor Okan Yesilot, head of the Institute of Turkish Studies at Marmara University, retired Colonel Ali Denizli, professor at Rumeli University, and Murat Jane, a political science expert at Aydin University, spoke about the Khojaly genocide, Azerbaijan's 44-day Patriotic War, and the glorious Victory.