YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Greater Washington DC community members joined the Armenian Youth Federation protesting outside the Azerbaijani embassy who demand justice for the Sumgait, Kirovabad, Baku and Maragha pogroms from 1988-1992 and raise their voices in support of freedom and security for the independent Republic of Artsakh, Asbarez reports.

“We join communities around the world in commemorating the massacres against the Armenian populations of Sumgait, Kirovabad, Baku, and Maragha and standing strong with the people of the independent Republic of Artsakh in their quest for a lasting peace,” said AYF-YOARF Washington D.C. “Ani” Chapter chairwoman Galin Tanashian. “Our protest today is part of ongoing political action – in Congress, in state capitols and local communities – to strengthen U.S. – Artsakh ties and ensure the long-term safety and security of the Republic”.

This year’s protest also marked the 15th anniversary of the axe-murder and decapitation of 26-year-old Armenian serviceman Gurgen Margaryan, killed in his sleep on February 19, 2004, by Azerbaijani soldier Ramil Safarov during a NATO language-training exercise in Hungary.