Armenia remembers victims of pogroms in Azerbaijani city of Sumgait
February 28 in Armenia commemorates the victims of the tragic events in Sumgait 32 years ago, when pogroms against the Armenian population occurred in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgayit.
They lasted three days. According to the official version, 26 Armenians and 5 representatives of other nationalities were killed. However, in Armenia they believe that there were more victims. In particular, human rights activist, former ombudsman of Armenia Larisa Alaverdyan believes that the real number of victims may be as high as 350-400 people.
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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accompanied by the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex and laid wreaths at the khachkar in memory of the victims of the tragedy.
Armenian President Armen Sargsyan stated:
“Violence and savageries against Armenians in Sumgait, and later in Baku, Kirovabad, and Maragha in their nature were reminiscent of the horrendous days of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
“The tragedy in Sumgait and Armenians affected by it were the immediate victims of homophobia and Armenophobia. Keeping the road open for the “Brown plague” today too, manifests disrespect to the memory of all those who fell victims of fascism and xenophobia”.
