Azerbaijan, Baku, 27 February / Trend corr. E.Huseinli / The memory of Khojali tragedy victims was honoured during the meeting of Parliamentary Council of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization in Istanbul. "The Azerbaijani delegation spoke about Khojali tragedy and victims before the meeting," Sayad Aran, the Consul General of Azerbaijan, stated to Trend by a telephone from Istanbul.
The meeting dedicated to 15th anniversary of the organization was held in Istanbul. The issue on cooperation between European Parliament and Organization was considered during the meting.
On the night of 25 to 26 February 1992 the Azerbaijani settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh, Khojali, was occupied by Armenian separatists, with active participation of military personnel and army tanks of the 366th regiment of the Russian army. In a matter of several hours, more than 600 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens, including 106 women and 83 children, were brutally killed. The annihilation of the peaceful people continued for several days during which time the Armenians executed and killed prisoners, committed violence against women and children, cut off the heads of Azerbaijani military prisoners and had them hung up. During this crime, 487 people, including 76 juveniles were physically disabled and 1,275 people were taken prisoner. Despite the release of most of the prisoners, the fate of 150 people is still unknown.
Aran said that MP Asaf Hajiyev was awarded with diploma for his services for 15 years in the organization during the meeting of Parliamentary delegations of Black Sea countries.
The meeting will complete on 27 February.
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization unites 12 countries.