A presentation of the project titled "113 days of struggle behind enemy lines: Unknown aspects of the Bashlibel massacre," implemented by the "Support for Bashlibel Development" Public Union with the support of the State Agency for Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, was held at Baku Engineering University (BEU).

The main objective of the presentation was to educate students about the massacre committed by Armenians in Bashlibel village during the occupation of Kalbajar district in 1993, acts of vandalism against our historical and cultural heritage and nature, as well as the patriotism of civilians who did not leave their homeland and their struggle under long-term siege conditions.  

Osman Mirzayev, Deputy Dean of BEU's Faculty of Engineering, who delivered the opening speech, emphasized the importance of holding such events in terms of researching historical facts and conveying them to the younger generation.

Then, project leader and chairman of the public union Vugar Hashimov spoke and provided information about the work carried out. It was announced that within the framework of the project, two video documentaries, each lasting 20 minutes, were filmed in the area called "Nabi Cave" and "Baritli Cave," where witnesses of the Bashlibel massacre and those who lived under siege for 113 days conducted partisan warfare for more than 2 months and where no filming had been conducted after the occupation of Bashlibel village. Those videos reflect the witnesses' observations regarding the Bashlibel massacre, the crimes against humanity committed by Armenians that they witnessed, and their thoughts on life under siege. V. Hashimov stated that the project, which began implementation on September 1, envisages educating students from various higher education institutions across the country, and noted the importance of young people learning our history in depth.   

The project expert, Khalid Kazimov, Chairman of the Regional Human Rights and Media Center, in his speech brought to attention historical facts about the Bashlibel massacre, presenting statistical figures on those killed, taken hostage, missing persons, and the number of women, elderly, and children. He also spoke about the strong will and remarkable struggle of people who lived under siege for 113 days, noting that this determination and resilience serve as an excellent example for the younger generation.  

Subsequently, video documentaries filmed from the area where the Bashlibel massacre was committed and from the caves where people hiding under prolonged siege lived were presented to the event participants.

Following the presentation, eyewitnesses who participated in the event—Mazahir Abbasguliyev, Ismat Azizov, and Elshad Azizov—shared the tragedy they experienced and witnessed with the event participants.

At the end of the event, students' questions were answered.

Public Relations Department