Azernews.Az

By Aisha Jabbarova

Representatives of foreign diplomatic corps stationed in Azerbaijan visited the country’s newly-liberated Aghdam to witness destruction inflicted on the city during three decades of Armenian occupation.

According to head of Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev, over 120 diplomats took part in the tour on June 13.

The delegation was informed about war crimes, destruction of cultural, historical and religious monuments in Aghdam. Armenians have destroyed and desecrated monuments, cultural centers, mosques, cemeteries, while changing some monuments to an Armenian style.

Diplomats visitied Aghdam Juma Mosque built in 1868-1870 by Karbalai architect Safikhan Garabagi that is included in the list of monuments of state importance and belongs to the school of Karabakh Mosque Architecture.

Armenians did not completely destroy the mosque, as they used its minarets for coordination and observation for military purposes.

The minarets of the mosque have been destroyed inside, the ceiling has collapsed in several places while the design and inscriptions have been deliberately altered.

They also visited "Imaret" complex a nd the mausoleum of poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, destroyed by the previously occupying Armenian troops.

Famous photographer Reza Degati, who took part in the visit, recounted painful memories of Aghdam.

He shared photos of survivors of Khojaly massacre (1992) who had fled to Aghdam and were searching for bodies of their family members.

Degati added that after he photographed the Khojaly massacre he continued and photographed the Fuzuli, Jabrayil and Shusha, which also were occupied by Armenian Armed Forces for nearly 30 years.

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