Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 20 / Trend T. Hajiyev /
Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic expressed his condolences to Azerbaijani people in connection with the January 20 tragedy, the embassy told Trend.
He said that martyrs who sacrificed their lives for independence will be always commemorated with respect.
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 131 people, including 117 Azerbaijanis, six Russians, three Jews and three Tatars. Some 744 people were severely injured. Four went missing and 400 were arrested. Twenty-one people were killed after a state of emergency was declared on Jan. 20. Twenty-six people were killed in the Neftchala and Lankaran regions.