Gabala hosted the areawide event dedicated to the twenty-third anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

Azerbaijani people has endured ethnic cleansing and genocide by Armenian nationalist-chauvinists, was exiled from their native land, people became refugees, internally displaced persons, and this was accompanied by mass massacres.
Khojaly genocide, the tragedy of the twentieth century, not only of the Azerbaijani people, but of all mankind, is one of the most serious crimes against humanity. International conventions adopted in the world, worldwide laws condemn, declare the inadmissibility of the Khojaly tragedy.
Areawide commemoration event by Gabala public was held in connection with the twenty-third anniversary of the genocide committed by Armenian vandals in Khojaly on the night of February 25 to 26, 1992. The event was attended by the Head of the District Executive Power Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev, the families of the Khojaly, settled in Gabala district, labor groups, elders and members of the public. 
First, participants of the event laid flowers at the monument erected at the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate the victims of genocide, then honoured the memory of Gabala martyrs who died in the defence of our lands. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sabuhi Abdullayev said that as a result of the genocide 613 Khojaly residents were killed, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old men, 8 families were completely destroyed. 25 children lost both parents and 130 children lost one parent. 487 people had been wounded by an enemy bullet, of them 76 children. 1275 Khojaly people were captured, 150 were missing. According to prices of April 1, 1992, the property of the state and the population was damaged in the amount of 5 billion rubles. Speaker stressed that currently the victims of the massacre are remembered in the parliaments of many countries, lectures are given at universities, programmes and discussions were organized on different TV channels. At the end of his speech, the Head of the DEP expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the countries and international organizations, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan will be ensured and refugees and internally displaced persons will be returned to their homes.
In continuation of the commemoration ceremony in the "Gabala Hotel" attendees of the event were offered tea. The verses from the Koran, prayers for the peace of the souls of our martyrs were read.