A plan of events to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide has been approved by an order of the head of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, AzerTaj sate news agency reported.
The document envisages putting wreathes at monuments to victims of the genocide in Khatai district and Naftalan town, issuing an appeal by Khojaly residents to world countries and international organizations, organizing press conferences and commemorative events in Azerbaijan's embassies, representations and Diaspora organizations, preparing and broadcasting relevant TV and radio programmes, as well as providing aid to martyr families.
Under the document, a series of events to commemorate the memory of the Khojaly martyrs, including photo exhibitions and meetings with eyewitnesses will be held in enterprises, schools and higher educational institutions across the country.
On the eve of the anniversary an online data about the Khojaly genocide will be updated. On February 26, a moment of silence to honor the memory of Khojaly martyrs will be observed at 17:00 (local time) across the country.
The Armenian troops committed genocide in Khojali on Feb. 26, 1992. The tragedy began early morning. Within hours, over 613 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed and among them were 106 women and 83 children. About 1,000 people were disabled by shots; eight families were fully destroyed. A total of 25 children lost both of their parents and 130 children lost one of them. About 1,275 people were taken prisoner and around 150 people went missing. Eight families were completely killed.
