Tweet
NINE BRIEFLY DETAINED OVER ANTI-ARMENIAN BANNERS AT KHOJALY RALLY
Today's Zaman
April 18 2012
Turkey
Following an investigation into the use of racist slogans and banners
at a rally in İstanbul in February marking the 20th anniversary of
the Khojaly massacre, the İstanbul Prosecutor's Office questioned
nine people on Wednesday.
Upon the request of prosecutors, İstanbul police took nine people
into custody, including two women. The suspects stated in their
testimonies that the banners they held were given to them by other
people at the rally, and the prosecutor later decided that all nine
people should be released.
Tens of thousands of Turks and Azerbaijanis took to the streets in
İstanbul in February to stage what they called "an unprecedented
massive rally" to mark the 20th anniversary of one of the most tragic
massacres in recent history. Some protesters held banners that featured
offensive statement and chanted racist slogans against Armenians during
the rally, which organizers said cast a shadow over the peaceful nature
of the march. The slogans caused much outrage among the Turkish public.
Azerbaijani authorities say 613 Azerbaijanis were brutally killed by
the Armenian military and hundreds are still missing after Armenian
troops rushed into the village of Khojaly on Feb. 26, 1992. The attack
appalled Azerbaijanis and became a symbol of Armenian aggression
against Azerbaijan.
Today's Zaman
April 18 2012
Turkey
Following an investigation into the use of racist slogans and banners
at a rally in İstanbul in February marking the 20th anniversary of
the Khojaly massacre, the İstanbul Prosecutor's Office questioned
nine people on Wednesday.
Upon the request of prosecutors, İstanbul police took nine people
into custody, including two women. The suspects stated in their
testimonies that the banners they held were given to them by other
people at the rally, and the prosecutor later decided that all nine
people should be released.
Tens of thousands of Turks and Azerbaijanis took to the streets in
İstanbul in February to stage what they called "an unprecedented
massive rally" to mark the 20th anniversary of one of the most tragic
massacres in recent history. Some protesters held banners that featured
offensive statement and chanted racist slogans against Armenians during
the rally, which organizers said cast a shadow over the peaceful nature
of the march. The slogans caused much outrage among the Turkish public.
Azerbaijani authorities say 613 Azerbaijanis were brutally killed by
the Armenian military and hundreds are still missing after Armenian
troops rushed into the village of Khojaly on Feb. 26, 1992. The attack
appalled Azerbaijanis and became a symbol of Armenian aggression
against Azerbaijan.