Today a meeting was held at Urbat Club between writer, publicist Bakur Karapetyan, a witness of the Khojalu events of 1992, Vladimir Vardanov, the commander of the intelligence group, and journalists. “Our purpose is to tell what really happened,” said Bakur Karapetyan.
The Azerbaijani side has been conducting information warfare for 20 years already, spreading false news about the military operations that took place in Khojalu. Today the Azerbaijani propaganda machine conducts propaganda campaign in 50 countries concerning the 20th anniversary of its defeat in Khojalu – movies are shown, rallies and conferences are organized – and the Armenian side remains silent about the real facts. According to Bakur Karapetyan’s comment, the Azerbaijani side does all this, because the events of Sumgayit took place, which had nothing to do with the war and the events of Khojalu are a result of a military operation.
The publicist told that in 1991-1993 Stepanakert and Askeran were constantly bombed from Shushi, Aghdam and Khojalu, “I myself was under bombing a few times and was compelled to find a refuge in the basement. Khojalu divided Karabakh into two parts, all the important roads pass through there, therefore seizing Khojalu had become a vital necessity for us.”
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Vladimir Vardanov noted, “It is normal that during illiterate military operations, there can be victims, but one shouldn’t blame the others for that.” Vladimir reasserted that they didn’t intend to take a big toll from the beginning; they themselves met the refugees at the bridgeheads while conducting reconnaissance and let them pass, “Having civilian losses is a crime.”
Commenting on the Azerbaijani data about the victims (613 dead and 2000 injured), he said that those did not correspond to the reality.
Now the Shushi foundation is going to bring a lawsuit to the Haag International Court of Justice against the Azerbaijani government for explicit falsification and deception of the international community.
Ani MKRTCHYAN