Baku, February 26, 2025 – The Europe Today: Today, Azerbaijan commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide, a tragic event that occurred on the night of February 25–26, 1992, during the First Karabakh War. The massacre, carried out by Armenian armed forces with the support of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet army, resulted in the deaths of 613 Azerbaijani civilians, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly individuals.
The Khojaly tragedy stands as one of the most brutal atrocities of the war, marked by mass killings, torture, and the forced displacement of thousands of Azerbaijani residents. Many civilians were taken hostage, while others lost their lives attempting to escape through harsh winter conditions.
The Khojaly Genocide is commemorated annually in Azerbaijan, with solemn ceremonies and international awareness campaigns. Several countries and international organizations have recognized the event as a crime against humanity. The “Justice for Khojaly” campaign, launched in 2008 by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, continues to work towards raising global awareness of the tragedy and seeking justice for the victims.
Azerbaijan remains committed to holding accountable those responsible for war crimes committed during the Karabakh conflict, including those involved in the Khojaly massacre. Legal proceedings and investigations into these crimes continue as part of the country’s broader pursuit of justice.
On this solemn day, Azerbaijan honors the memory of the victims of the Khojaly Genocide. May they rest in peace.
