Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 22 / Trend I. Izzet /
Baku hopes that the Turkish government and the Turkish Grand National Assembly will sure to give relevant assessment to the Khojaly genocide, Head of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration's Social and Political Department Ali Hasanov told media today.
"If one takes into account that most OIC countries called the Khojaly tragedy as a genocide and gave the adequate legal assessment of the massacre committed by Armenians in Khojaly, once Turkey will also give the adequate legal assessment of the Khojaly genocide."
"The Khojaly genocide has been recognized by three countries in the world - Mexico, Colombia and Pakistan," he added.
Hasanov added that the issue is being discussed by the legislative bodies at the level of states in various countries, including six U.S. states and in Romania.
On Feb. 25-26 February, 1992, Armenian occupation forces together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops stationed in Khankendi (previously called Stepanakert) committed an act of genocide towards the population of Azerbaijani Khojaly town.
Some 613 people were killed including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old men. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled during the genocide. Eight families were killed, 130 children lost one parent and 25 lost both. Additionally, 1275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 remains unknown.