Today.Az » Politics » Rally on Khojaly genocide runs in Taksim - UPDATE- PHOTOS
26 February 2012 [18:19] - Today.Az
A rally "We are all Khojalians, we are all Karabakhians!" dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide continues at Taksim square in Istanbul. The rally was preceded by "march of justice" which began from Galatasaray Lyceum, Trend special correspondents report from Istanbul.
Members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, representatives of political parties, NGOs and community leaders of the fraternal country, thousands of citizens are all taking part in the rally. The Azerbaijani delegation, which had previously left for Turkey includes Azerbaijani members of parliament, heads of diaspora organizations and NGOs.
People are carrying Turkish and Azerbaijani flags, chanting "Let us support Karabakh", "We are all Khojalians, we are all Karabakhians", "Homeland is indivisible, martyrs are immortal," "Do not be silent about the Armenian lies".
Participants of the meeting honored victims of the Khojaly tragedy with moment of silence. Famous Azerbaijani singer Azerin performed the national anthems of Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as song "Cirpinirdi Kara Deniz".
The participants demanded justice for Khojaly and noted that Azerbaijan is not alone in this aspiration.
"The whole Turkic world is side by side with Azeri Turks. It is necessary to give legal and political assessment to genocide committed in Khojaly," the participants said.
Thousands of people are taking part in the "march of justice" and rally at Taksim Square. Police have enhanced security at Taksim Square.
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15:30
Thousands of people who will participate in rally dedicated to 20th anniversary of Khojaly genocide scheduled for 16:00 (Baku time) are gathering at Taksim square in Istanbul. People are carrying Turkish and Azerbaijani flags, chanting "Support Karabakh", "All of us - Khojalians, all of us - Karabakhians," "Homeland is indivisible, martyrs are immortal," "Do not be silent about the Armenian lies", Trend correspondent sent to Istanbul on an assignment reported.
Police have enhanced security at Taksim Square. The rally will begin by the "march of justice" participants of which are heading towards Taksim Square from Galatasaray Lyceum.
The Armenian military forces committed genocide in Khojaly on Feb. 26, 1992. Some 613 people were killed, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old men. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled during the genocide. Eight families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both. Additionally, 1,275 peaceful residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 remains unknown.
/Trend/
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