On the anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, the Chief of the State Security Service (SSS), Colonel-General Ali Naghiyev, and the agency's personnel visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. During the visit, the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was honored with deep respect and solemnity.
According to the SSS Press Service's report to the Operative Information Center-OMM, a wreath was laid at the "Eternal Flame" monument on behalf of the SSS personnel. Additionally, the delegation visited the graves of Azerbaijani security service employees buried in the Alley of Martyrs. It was emphasized that such commemorative events are of great importance for keeping the memory of the January 20 martyrs alive and transferring national memory to younger generations.
The January 20 tragedy, also known as "Black January," occurred in 1990 when Soviet army units entered Baku to crush the growing independence movement. The intervention resulted in the deaths of over 140 civilians and the wounding of hundreds more. This event is considered a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan, accelerating the collapse of Soviet rule and leading to the eventual restoration of the country's sovereignty in 1991. Every year, millions of Azerbaijanis visit the Alley of Martyrs to pay tribute to those who fell for the nation's freedom.
