A memorial event was held in Gabala in connection with the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide

On February 26, 2024, an event was held in connection with the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, with the participation of the Gabala Region Executive Power, law enforcement agencies, heads of departments, institutions, and organizations, as well as representatives of the temporarily displaced Khojaly residents and the public. The event, held at the Gabala Cultural Center, began with a visit to an art exhibition dedicated to the Khojaly genocide. The event, which continued in the conference hall, began with a moment of silence to honor the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the victims of the Khojaly genocide. The event was opened with a speech by the head of the Region Executive Power, Sabuhi Abdullayev, who emphasized that after the return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to power, a political and legal assessment was given to this bloody tragedy. He pointed out that the terrorism committed by the Armenian savages against our people throughout history will never be forgotten. He also highlighted that under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army decisively defeated the enemy, liberating our occupied territories, including Khojaly, and avenging the victims. The Deputy Head of the Region Executive Power, Ataya Osmanova, in her speech, noted that under the leadership of the President of the country, reconstruction and development work is being carried out in the liberated territories, as well as in Khojaly, where the horrifying tragedy took place. She also mentioned the commissioning of new industrial and tourism facilities and emphasized that the people who had been displaced from their homeland are now returning to their native lands. In their speeches, the residents of Khojaly spoke about the unprecedented atrocities committed by Armenian armed forces during the Khojaly tragedy against the peaceful population. They mentioned that the commemoration of the Khojaly genocide in the past two years has been marked by a completely different spirit. They expressed their eager anticipation for the day they could return to their homeland and homes, and conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to the country's leadership for making this possible.  A poetry composition dedicated to Khojaly, performed by school students, was met with great interest by the audience. At the end of event, a commemorative photograph was taken.