Victims of Khojaly genocide were commemorated in France

A commemorative event on the 29^th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Paris jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to France and the Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to UNESCO.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France Rahman Mustafayev, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Elman Abdullayev and Vice-President of the France-Azerbaijan Dialogue Association Laurent Pultier du Mesnil spoke at the event.

The memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy and our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was commemorated with a minute of silence.

Then, detailed information was given about the Khojaly genocide, stating that 613 civilians were brutally killed by the Armenian armed forces in one night. It was noted that this year the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide is commemorated differently from previous years. The brave Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev opened a new glorious page in our history by ending the Armenian occupation.

Speakers spoke about the atrocities committed by the Armenian armed forces against the Azerbaijani civilian population on that terrible night. It was emphasized that members of the Armenian Diaspora abroad threatened and pressured members of the media in their countries in order to cover up the massacres committed by the Armenian nationalists.

Nevertheless, despite all obstacles, "Justice for Khojaly!" campaign, initiated by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, has been implemented since 2008. As a part of the international campaign, the international community, including the parliaments of many countries, recognized the Khojaly tragedy as genocide.

Although Armenian nationalists try to hide the realities of Azerbaijan, the fact that Armenians brutally killed civilians is communicated to the international community by Azerbaijani diplomats and members of the diaspora.

The event also touched upon Azerbaijan's Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, and noted that President Ilham Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan's position at a press conference for foreign journalists on February 26.

Afterwards the participants got acquainted with the photo exhibition dedicated to the Khojaly massacre, books, brochures and DVDs reflecting the genocide were distributed to the participants.

Later a concert dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide was held. Etibar Asadli (piano), Agharahim Guliyev (flute), Saida Zulfugarova (piano), Alisso Zubritski (piano), Yoann Piazza (piano), Saddam Novruzbayov (balaban), Victoria Calevatych-Mustafabayli (mezzo-soprano), Timur Abdikeyev (baritone), Fabrice di Falco (tenor) and Candice Albardien (soprano) performed music by Azerbaijani, Turkish and European classical composers.