Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 18 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
The Caucasus Muslims Office considers it important to bring those involved in the tragedy of January 20 to justice and to submit this issue to the International Court of Justice in the Hague for consideration, Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said in an interview with the ruling New Azerbaijan party today.
"We think it important to create a new investigation commission to fully restore justice toward our martyrs," he said. "The commission will conduct a broad and comprehensive investigation, bring those responsible for these events, headed by Gorbachev and those who launched these events to justice, submit this issue to the International Court of Justice in the Hague."
It is necessary to create documentary chronicles, films, works that reveal the political nature of these events and this put an end to doubts by the truth not to repeat the bitter lessons of history. These doubts worried Azerbaijani people for many years, he said.
He regrets that this tragedy did not get any political and legal assessment at the international level.
"January 20 tragedy got only legal and political assessment by Azerbaijan thanks to national leader Heydar Aliyev. Unfortunately, it did not get a legal assessment at the international level. The criminals were not sentenced. The executioners of the Azerbaijani people were not punished.
The Azerbaijani people have the moral right to prosecute murderers - Mikhail Gorbachev and those who provoked these events. Regardless of the type of this court, an open court must be held. The facts and evidence, documents and testimony of witnesses must be fully disclosed. Cruelty, duplicity, wildness and the true purposes of criminals must be shown on the basis of international law and expert opinion.
Pashazade said that he supports the ceremonies on the anniversary of the bloody January events. He added that he recommends religious leaders, ghazis, and authorized representatives of the clergy to conduct these events.
The Soviet army commenced military operations against Azerbaijan early morning Jan. 20, 1990, before declaring a state of emergency. The tragedy claimed the lives of 132 people. Some 612 people were severely injured.