The appeal of the religious leaders on the occasion of the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy

The heads of religious confessions of Azerbaijan appealed to the heads of state, religious leaders, parliaments, international organizations and the European Court of Human Rights in connection with the 24th anniversary of the Hojali  genocide. "On the eve of the 24th anniversary of the genocide committed against civilians in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly,  we expressing the will and feelings of millions of Azerbaijanis, appeal to the world community, to all people of good will, regardless of religion, language, race or nationality. We  are sure that there cannot  people,  or a religion that would justify ​ such crimes as  violence, murder, aggression contradicting universal values, " reads the appeal.

 The appeal was made on behalf of  Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the head of the Baku and Azerbaijan Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Alexander, and  Mellih Evdayev, the  head of the community of Mountain Jews.

* On  25-26 February,  1992 the  Armenian armed forces with the support of the  366^th Soviet  Motorized Rifle Regiment stationed in Khankendi  committed genocide against the inhabitants of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As a result of the bloody massacre of civilians  613 people were killed, 487 people were injured, 1275 were captured. Many of them never returned from captivity, their fate is not known. Following the withdrawal of the 366th Regiment from Khankendi military equipment that belonged to it,  was captured by the  Armenian separatists. -05D-