On February 22, a ceremony of commemoration with the participation of family members of police officers who became martyrs in Khojaly had been held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the information of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, lieutenant general Ismat Aliyev, who opened the event with an introductory word noted that the Azerbaijani people, who were subjected to genocide at various stages of its history by Armenian nationalists, faced another such tragedy 26 years ago in Khojaly. The Deputy Minister stressed that thanks to the principled position of the great leader Heydar Aliyev who returned to power at the insistence of the people, a political and legal assessment was given to the genocide committed against civilians, according to the resolution of February 24, 1994, February 26th was declared "The Day of Khojaly genocide" the executive order "on announcing a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide" was signed on 25th of February 1997.

The Deputy Minister, who recalled 17 police officers who heroically died in unequal battles with the enemy during the defense of Khojaly, suggested holding a minute of silence in the memory of the Khojaly people who were subjected to the genocide, as well as our compatriots who gave their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

Noting that Khojaly genocide is on the same level with the most terrible tragedies committed against humanity, Ismat Aliyev brought to the attention of the event participants that the gruesome destruction of the cultural artifacts after the occupation is the most enormous offence committed against human civilization and human rights. It was noted that, in spite of the fact that so many years have passed, the bright memory of compatriots who died as a result of thousands of tortures committed over them and heroes - sons and daughters - is honored, and the world community recalling the Khojaly tragedy that is included in a number of human crimes of, expresses their solidarity with the Azerbaijani people and condemns the treacherous acts of nationalists.

The Deputy Minister who have brought to the attention the works carried out on behalf of the President of the country Mr. Ilham Aliyev towards the recognition of this tragedy all over the world, the dissemination of the truth about Azerbaijan around the world with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, informing the international community, the solidarity of our compatriots who live in many countries of the world, concerning the occupation of our lands and the Khojaly genocide, noted that the true face of the Armenian-built fake propagation is debunked and world public opinion starts accepting the Khojaly tragedy as the genocide. On behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic, Colonel-General Ramil Usubov he repeatedly expressed his condolences to the families of the police officers who became martyrs in the defense of the hero-city, asked about their problems and troubles and said that soon the appropriate measures will be taken to resolve the raised issues.
Speaking on behalf of the families of martyrs, Varziyar Aliyeva expressed her gratitude to the leadership country and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for their care and attention.

Reminding about the transformation of Azerbaijan into the holder of the decisive word in the region, the non-stop increase of its economic potential, political and military power, and the readiness of our army for the order the Supreme Allied Commander, Ismat Aliyev once more brought to attention staunch stance of the highly respected Head of State for restoring the territorial integrity of our country through every possible means.