HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS / ARMENIAN - AZERBAIJANI CONFLICT OVER THE MOUNTAINOUS GARABAGH / Historical backgrounds to the section "Genocide"

Historical background to the document "Introductory speech of Heydar Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the meeting with a group of the Khojali residents, connected with the fourth anniversary of the Khojali genocide (Presidential Palace, February 24, 1996)"


When the town of Khojaly was occupied on February 25-26, 1992 with the participation of the 366th Motor-Rifle Regiment of the Soviet Union, the Armenian armed forces committed a genocide against the ethnic Azerbaijanis.

613 people, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly were massacred during the action of genocide. One thousand civilians of various ages became disabled as a result of the bullet wounds. On the night of the tragedy, 1,275 civilians were taken hostage.

By the decision dated February 24, 1996, of the parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, February 26 was proclaimed the day of the Khojaly genocide and a national mourning day. It was Heydar Aliyev, who achieved the legal and political estimation of the Khojaly events.

“90 Instants of the Great leader”, Heydar Aliyev Heritage research center, “Sharq-Qarb”, Baku-2013, p.64