On 18 January the event dedicated to the 20 January tragedy was held at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies. The event began with a minute of silence on the memories of the martyrs of the tragedy. Deputy director on scientific affairs said that the people were infuriated by the territorial claims and aggressive acts of Armenia, backed by the  Soviet officials, against Azerbaijan, as well as by the anti-nationalist behavior of the local authorities. Azerbaijanis were being expelled from the land where they had lived for centuries. On the night of 20 January, a big contingent of the USSR Armed Forces was sent onto the streets of Baku. As a result, the Soviet Army committed a horrible crime against the Azerbaijani people. That night the Soviet Army displayed particular cruelty against the people. They used chemical weapons, shot at ambulances and the wounded and mutilated dead bodies. According to official sources, as a result of this aggressive act, which was against the principles of international law, democracy and human values, 131 people died, 774 were wounded, 400 imprisoned and four went missing. During the tragedy the courageous sons of the Azerbaijani people who stood up for the motherland’s dignity, honor and freedom became martyrs. 

Correspondent member of ANAS , head of the laboratory of “Photochemistry of chloroplasts” Ibrahim Azizov said that the crime committed against the Azerbaijanis is, in fact, a crime against mankind, against humanity.

Head specialist of the Education Department Ganfila Bayramova remembering the painful days said poem “Dəli bir ağlamaq keçir könlümdən” by National Hero of Azerbaijan Ali Mustafayev. At the end of the event the film dedicated to the 20 January martyrs was demonstrated.