Event organized in Moscow by Heydar Aliyev Foundation due to the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide

Large-scale event was held at the conference hall of “Ukraine” Hotel due to the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. The event was organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the OIC Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR) with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia. 

Memory of innocent victims of the Khojaly tragedy was honored to the minute of silence.

Opening the event, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu made a brief excursion into the history of two decades ago, noting that the date of this bloody horrible destruction of the entire town would live forever in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people. He expressed gratitude to initiator of the international campaign "Justice for Khojaly" Leyla Aliyeva, as well as all those who support the Azerbaijani people.

Then, a presentation of a signal version of the documentary on the background of the Khojaly massacre co-produced by European filmmakers, shot within international project "Peaceful Caucasus", was held.

Chief producer of the film, Lithuanian cinematographer Andrius Brokas and journalist, character of the film Richardas Lopaytis said the documentary is based on the true stories given in diaries of R.Lopaytis and testimonies of witnesses. 

Secretary General of the OIC Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation Elshad Isgandarov delivered a message on behalf of Leyla Aliyeva, the author of the idea of the international campaign "Justice for Khojaly" Mrs Leyla Aliyeva. He expressed gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva for the active civic position, noting that the international campaign "Justice for Khojaly" for three years of its existence had done a great job. He spoke in detail about the scale of this movement, which covered more than 50 countries, noting that more than one million people from all over the world have signed to recognize this tragedy as genocide. He expressed special thanks to the international creative team of the film about the Khojaly citizens and all sharing the pain of the Azerbaijani people. E.Isgandarov stressed that efforts in this direction will continue and the geography of the just position of Azerbaijan demanding the world community to give moral and legal assessment to the crime will expand.

Ambassador Polad Bulbuloglu talked of the policy of the state of Azerbaijan aiming the recognition of the fact of destruction of people in Khojaly for their national and ethnic origins as genocide. He underlined the world is beginning to understand that Azerbaijanis are the victims of the occupant policy of their neighbors. Recalling the Khojaly genocide is discussed and condemned at the parliaments of some countries, the Ambassador noted as result of the open and exact foreign policy of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and actions of the civic institutions, Azerbaijan is strengthening its image of reliable business partner in the world. “Providing correct information in foreign countries about the crimes of Armenian aggressors against the humanity is a priority course in activities of First Lady of Azerbaijan, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mehriban Aliyeva and initiator of the “Justice for Khojaly” campaign Leyla Aliyeva”, the Ambassador mentioned. Touching upon the nationwide march led by President Ilham Aliyev due to the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, P.Bulbuloglu said the march was the summit of the nationwide sorrow and expression of the will of a citizen of multinational and multiconfessional Azerbaijan.    

The Ambassador’s information on the decision of the Constitutional Council of France of February 28 on the annulment of the law on criminalization of so-called Armenian genocide received ovation.

After the official ceremony, participants of the event got familiarized with exhibition “Children of war” of handworks by Azerbaijani schoolchildren.

Representatives of AYOR let out black balloons symbolizing the innocent victims of the genocide.

Turkish Ambassador to Russia, officials of the Iranian Embassy to this country, representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora and Russian public, Azerbaijani youth were present in the event.