Tokyo, January 22, AzerTAc The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Japan has released a statement on the 25th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy.The statement says: “Today, Azerbaijani people observe silence to commemorate their citizens killed on the last breath of the Soviet empire, on the day, which is known in the world as “Black January”.On the night of January 19-20, 1990, soviet army and its tanks invaded Azerbaijan`s capital city Baku and killed 147, wounded more than 700 people. That day entered the history as a page of heroism of those who was killed for the freedom and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.The Soviet regime used force to suppress struggle for freedom of Azerbaijanis. Among the former soviet republics, Azerbaijan was the first republic which made serious step towards the independence. Despite great slaughters, soviet leadership couldn`t impede the struggle for freedom of Azerbaijani people, and after 20 months the country restored its independence.The “Black January” demonstrated will and bellicosity of Azerbaijani people to whole world. The Soviet leadership`s effort to frighten people and to lengthen life of the soviet system by means of power failed.”The Embassy noted members of the Azerbaijani community in Japan and Azerbaijan`s friends will gather in the embassy on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, will commemorate the tragedy of January, 1990 and victims.The statement was sent to state structures of Japan, diplomatic representations, scientific and educational institutions, think tanks, NGOs and media.Vugar AghayevSpecial correspondent