President Aliyev: War criminals have received their deserved punishment

"I am delivering these congratulatory remarks in Khankendi, in front of the Victory Arch. This is the second victory arch erected in honor of our glorious victory. The first is in Baku, and the second is here in Khankendi. A Victory Museum is also operational alongside the Victory Arch in Baku," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Operativ Media reports that this was stated in an address to the nation by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev from Khankendi on the occasion of Victory Day.

The President noted that the name of every martyr is engraved in the museum:

"There will also be a Victory Museum in Khankendi. Final touches regarding the establishment of the Victory Museum are currently underway. Its venue is the building of the former executive authority, which was once the cradle of aggression and occupation policy against Azerbaijan. It was a lair of evil. When I came to that building after our glorious victory in October 2023, the first thing I did was open its windows so that the spirit of evil would dissipate. Now, the Victory Museum will be housed in that very building. Those who once sat in that building — war criminals — have received their deserved punishment. They wanted to come to Baku on tanks; they wanted to drink tea in Baku. They made arrogant statements because they were sheltered by certain powers and believed they could pursue their policy of perpetual occupation. But we showed them who is who. We demonstrated the dignity, resilience, and willpower of the Azerbaijani people, and today they are drinking tea in Azerbaijani prisons, having received their deserved punishment."

Ilham Aliyev noted that each step of the staircase leading up to this Victory Arch commemorates every single day of the Patriotic War:

"Everyone ascending these steps rightly feels a sense of pride, reliving the history of our glorious 44-day campaign. All of this is natural. But I must also state that the blood of our martyrs is engraved on these steps as well. We suffered martyrs every day; blood was spilled every day. Despite this, our people showed genuine patriotism and solidarity, and the support coming from the public gave me, as Commander-in-Chief, additional strength. We only pushed forward, never stopping for a single day, never stepping back. We drove the enemy from our lands, restored justice, and today our territory is free and whole."