Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan.20 / Trend, D.Azizov /
Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan held a commemoration meeting on Wednesday, dedicated to the tragic events that took place in Azerbaijan on Jan. 20, 1990.
The Azerbaijani Heydar Aliyev Culture Center in Tashkent brought together activists of the Azerbaijani diaspora and the media outlets. The event participants got familiarized with the photo stand telling about the events that occurred 21 years ago.
Azerbaijani Charge d'Affaires to Uzbekistan Akif Aliyev addressed the event.
He recalled that on the night from Jan. 19 to 20 in 1990 the Soviet army, without declaring the state of emergency, commenced military operations in Azerbaijan. The tragedy claimed the lives of 132 people, including 117 Azerbaijanis, six Russians, three Jews and three Tatars. Some 744 people were severely injured. Four went missing and 400 were arrested
"The events of 1990, being one of the bloodiest pages in the history of independence of our country and whole Azerbaijani people, committed by the leadership of the Soviet Union, are one the most brutal crimes against humanity," Aliyev said.
This crime was intended to stifle the Azerbaijani people's spirit of freedom, being a premeditated and planned act.
"However, it failed to break the faith of our people struggling for independence. This date is entered into the history of struggle for freedom and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as a heroic page," Aliyev said.
The event participants commemorated 20 January tragedy victims with a minute of silence.
Addressing representatives of the diaspora culture and art noted that this tragedy will forever remain in the memory of Azerbaijanis who live not only in Azerbaijan but also abroad.
A documentary film was shown about the 20 January events at the event.