Armenians slaughter 2 million Azeris in 19-20th centuries

2 million Azeris fell victim to the genocide unleashed by Armenians in the 19t-20th centuries, the state counselor for ethnic policy Hidayat Orujov told a news conference dedicated to the Genocide Day of Azerbaijanis, March 31, Thursday.

Referring to historical documents, H. Orujov said as where 375,000 Azeris resided in the Iravan province in 1916, their number decreased to 12,000 people by 1920. In 1948-1953 alone 150,000 Azeris were deported from the Armenian SSR. Pursuing the “Armenia without Turks” obsession, Armenians were aided by the Czarist Russia and the USSR, the counselor said.

According to him, Azerbaijan is stepping up effort toward waking up the world community via the Internet and media publications. Also underway is work toward recognition of the genocide of Azerbaijanis by different parliaments. Mr. Orujov highlighted the need for setting up a center to effectively attend to the mentioned activities.

Asked if Azerbaijan can demand extradition of Russia’s 366th infantry regiment commanders, guilty of genocide in Khojali, the state counselor said that since the regiment belonged to the former USSR, Russia does not claim responsibility for the carnage.*