Our flags will remain steadfast, ensuring that no one is ever forgotten
Caliber.Az report from Khojaly PHOTO/VIDEO

REPORTS  01 April 2024 - 19:35

"My covenant is Justice!". And the enemy will realize: "No more mercy". Maximilian Voloshin.

At eleven o'clock in the morning, we reached the suburb of Barda, where our attention was immediately drawn to people dressed in mourning attire, gathered in anticipation of the arrival of the remains of Azerbaijanis who had suffered in Armenian captivity. These burials, uncovered during excavations in the heart of the liberated town of Khojaly (near the former carpet factory) as part of extensive reconstruction and construction efforts, demand remembrance.

Let us never forget their names, their humanity, and the atrocities they endured. Expert analysis revealed that these individuals were subjected to fatal beatings, with only two of them having been shot.

• Aliyev Agali Naib, 01.06.1933
• Aliyeva Suraya Behbud, 01.06.1933
• Najafov Shiraslan Gamish, 1952
• Salimov Hazar Sayavush, 01.09.1974
• Salimova Tamilla Agamirza, 01.06.1935
• Javadov Ali Musul, 15.06.1954
• Ismayilov Ismayil, 01.08.1955.

The victims of this brutal murder were laid to rest in Khojaly on the Alley of Martyrs, a solemn act that brings to mind the unimaginable pain felt by their grieving relatives upon receiving their bodies thirty-two years later. Despite the enduring human capacity for hope, these families harbored longings for the return of their loved ones, clinging to prayers for even the slightest glimmer of survival amidst captivity.

Yet, with hope extinguished, their memories will forever remain etched in the hearts of those left behind. We all must remember the grim reality that these individuals suffered fatal beatings, with only two meeting death by gunfire.

Any aspirations for the triumph of "international law" or expectations of condemnation from the "international community" have proven futile, as evidenced by the lack of condemnation from any permanent member of the UN Security Council regarding the Khojaly genocide. Conformity to external standards of morality holds no weight. Instead, our focus must shift towards holding the perpetrators accountable within Azerbaijani jurisdiction. A public trial, perhaps even accompanied by a temporary moratorium on the abolition of the death penalty, should serve as a testament to our commitment to justice.

In a conversation with Ramil Iskandarli, chairman of the Legal Analysis and Research NGO, the efficacy of prosecuting perpetrators under national law was emphasized, a strategy that resonates with our pursuit of justice. Thus, we must ensure that all responsible parties, including individuals like Sargsyans and Ohanyans, face the consequences of their actions, whether through capture or the torment of knowing retribution looms ever closer. Let's take inspiration from Mossad's Operation Mivtzach Elohim and pursue justice relentlessly.

There was a time when we underestimated the occupiers and the depth of their animosity, but a turning point came when we realized that we should expect anything from them. Now, we are prepared for whatever may come, determined to remember every detail, every sacrifice, as the cost of forgetting has been too high.

"Just as the chief of the criminal investigation said in the film 'My Friend Ivan Lapshin': 'Let's cleanse the land, plant gardens, and still find time to stroll in those gardens'," so have we cleansed our land, planted our gardens, and combated separatism with equal vigor. And we have every intention of enjoying the fruits of our labor, for desire is our driving force. To cleanse, to cultivate, and then to stroll, proudly and visibly, so that both friends and foes alike may witness our progress. Let our friends rejoice, and let our enemies seethe with impotent rage; it is a satisfying bonus.

And do not shed tears, do you understand? Their blood has not been shed in vain. So, do not weep, I repeat, do not weep. We must forge ahead, remembering and never forgetting. Let us embrace the accusations of vindictiveness, for it may serve us well; if Armenia ever dares to seek revenge, we will have ample justification before the so-called "international community": Did you not know of our vindictive nature? You should have. Did you forget our aversion to Armenia? You should not have, for it is evident in our very eyes. So why did you embolden Armenia, by providing trainers and arms?

Certain factions in Armenia may entertain thoughts of vengeance, envisioning a comical retaliation akin to the caricatures they once made of us. But they fail to grasp that it will not be a laughing matter; rather, it will be a chilling tale for them. With any attempt at revenge, anything that moves will become a legitimate target, and even that which remains still will tremble with fear and become fair game.

Flowers often bloom on soil irrigated by blood; it is the immutable law of life, persisting despite everything - even though not all perpetrators have faced justice, despite the painstaking process of demining Karabakh to transform it into a flourishing paradise.

And you know, there are cats in Khojaly. I encountered one myself, and cats are a harbinger of good fortune. They do not dwell where malevolence resides. Life is stirring in Khojaly, and for it to thrive, we must remember those who suffered at the hands of the occupiers.

Caliber.Az