Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan. 19 / Trend , K.Konirova/
The 19th anniversary of the January 20th tragedy was commemorated in Astana on Jan. 19.
The event was held at Turan-Astana university on Jan. 19 and organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Astana.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Latif Gandilov opened the event and offered to commemorate victims of the tragedy with a minute of silence.
The ambassador reminded that Soviet troops entered Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan early morning Jan. 20 in 1990.
"The incursion of the troops and special forces in Baku was accompanied by cruelty and brutality," he said. "Civilians were treated violently and hundreds of people were killed, injured and went missing."
Students and teachers at the university, Azerbaijani embassy officials, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Astana and the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Friendship Association and journalists attended the event.
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, 6 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.
Have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]
