A crowded meeting devoted to the 15th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide was held in Strasbourg

A crowded meeting was held in Strasbourg in connection with the 15^th  anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide, one of the bloody pages of our 20^th century history, within the framework of a special project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, February 24. Pictures depicting the Khojaly Genocide sent by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, handicrafts consisting of samples taken from the painting contest on the theme of “Khojaly in the eyes of children” were demonstrated at the meeting realized by organizational support of the “House of Azerbaijan”, the Association for  Cultural Relations with Azerbaijan, the Cultural Association of Azerbaijan and the Association of Azerbaijani Students  in France at Broglie square of Strasbourg, and the collection of “The True Facts about Garabagh”  published by the Foundation in French was distributed to participants of the event and local population. The collection contains information about the history of Garabagh, inception of the conflict, the Khojaly Genocide, results of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and bloody acts committed by Armenian terror organizations in our republic.

Holding posters in French and English such as “Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenians must be freed soon”, “We will never forgive them”, “Although 15 years have passed since the Khojaly Genocide, Kocharyan is still unpunished”, “The Khojaly Tragedy is the genocide of Azerbaijanis”, “Destruction of monuments on the occupied Azerbaijani territories must be stopped” and other similar posters in hands, participants of the meeting sounded slogans such as “Kocharyan is a criminal”, “Zori Balayan is a murderer”, “Shame on aggressors”.

Delivering a speech at a meeting with flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey flattering, President of the “House of Azerbaijan” Mustafa Alinja talked of Armenian armed forces’ attack to the town of Khojaly, with 7 thousand population, supported by the Soviet Army’s 366^th motorized infantry battalion, at the  night from 25^th to 26^th February, murdering innocent and peaceful citizens, including  children, women and the elderly. He specifically underscored that to deliver the Armenian savagery to the world community is a sacred duty of every Azerbaijani, and called attention to the true essence of the Armenian policy.

Mustafa Alinja talked of the significance of a special project by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in delivering the truth about the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict and the Khojaly Genocide to the world community. Signatures were collected at the meeting for appeals  addressed to the International Criminal Court, the European Council and the European Union seeking political assessment of the Khojaly Genocide.

Prayers were offered on the initiative of the “House of Azerbaijan” at the local Mosque for the souls of those perished during the Khojaly Genocide.

Numerous Azerbaijanis living in Strasbourg, Colmar, Muluz and other cities, representatives of brotherly Turkey and residents of Strasbourg attended the meeting.

Continuing more than three hours, the meeting was assisted by the permanent representation of Azerbaijan at the European Council.