Azernews.Az

Azerbaijanis living in Russia commemorated victims of the Khojaly genocide, the State Committee for Work with Diaspora said on Tuesday.

Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in many regions and cities of Russia held ceremonies of remembrance of victims of the Khojaly genocide.

A moment of silence to honor the victims of the Khojaly genocide was declared during the events held in the Amur, Ryazan, Murmansk, Kostroma, Voronezh and other regions, as well as in the Stavropol krai, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, and Chuvash Republic, participants of which were given information regarding the horrors experienced on February 26, 1992. The event condemned the atrocities committed by Armenian armed forces against the civilian population of Khojaly.

Documentary and feature films were presented at the events.

The commemoration ceremony was attended by representatives of local governments, the Azerbaijani Diaspora, intellectuals, businessmen and youth.

On Feb.25-26 February, 1992, Armenian occupation forces together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops stationed in Khankendi (previously Stepanakert) committed an act of genocide towards the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.

Some 613 people were killed including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old men. A total of 1000 civilians were disabled during the genocide. Eight families were killed, 130 children lost one parent and 25 lost both. Additionally, 1275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 remains unknown.