Azerbaijan observes moment of silence to commemorate Khojaly victims

Baku. 26 February. REPORT.AZ/ The victims of the Khojaly genocide were commemorated with a moment of silence in Azerbaijan.

Report informs that the traffic and pedestrian movement in the country was stopped at 17:00 Baku time, cars, ships, subways and suburban trains signaled.

At the same time, the state flag was lowered in Baku, as well as in other cities and regions, settlements, villages, diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan abroad.

Notably, today is the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. On the night of February 26, 1992, the Armenian forces, with the help of the former Soviet 366th Motor Rifle Regiment, invaded the town of Khojaly. 2,500 civilians fleed their homes in a hope to reach Aghdam when Armenians started to shot the civilians.

613 people including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elderly civilians fell victim of Armenian invaders. 8 families were completely annihilated. 130 children lost one of their parents, and other 25 lost both of them. 1,275 Khojaly residents were taken prisoner and 150 went missing.

National leader of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev unveiled the essence of Khojaly genocide and in February 1994, the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) gave legal and political assessment of this crime issuing a special resolution “On February 26 - The Day of Khojaly genocide”. The document describes causes of the tragedy and its perpetrators.

A monument to the victims of Khojaly genocide was erected in Khatai district of Baku.