Turkish Grand National Assembly held discussions on Khojaly genocide

Ankara, March 1 (AzerTAc). The Turkish parliament discussed the Khojaly genocide. The meeting was attended by vice-primer of Turkey Bulent Arinc, ministers. Member of the Turkish-Azerbaijani parliamentary friendship group, MP Sinan Ogan said the largest genocide of the last century was committed in Khojaly. Ogan said it is time for the Turkish Parliament to adopt a statement on the Khojaly genocide. Minister of Industry and Technology Nihat Ergun, representing ruling AKP, who spoke on behalf of the Government, said massacre committed against civilians of Khojaly 20 years ago is a shameful chapter in the history of mankind. Member of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Ali Ozgunduz said the Khojaly events must be qualified as genocide. Chairman of the Turkish-Azerbaijani parliamentary friendship group Necdet Univar and others unanimously noted that the Khojaly crime should be qualified as genocide and an appropriate bill should be submitted to the Parliament of Turkey. 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.