A three-day slaughter in Azerbaijani city of Sumgait killed numerous Armenians, many were burned alive, whipsawed, subjected to refined tortures, women and girls were raped, said U.S. congressman on Armenian issues Adam Schiff, calling not to bury the events occurred 21 years ago in oblivion, Radio Liberty says.

“As a result of massacres thousands of ethnic Armenians were displaced. For the sake of their lives they were forced to abandon everything: homes, jobs and flee,” Schiff stated.

According to him, many heads for these “anti-Armenian events” were not only unpunished in Azerbaijan, but even continue holding their senior positions in the country’s government.

"Despite all Azeris’ attempts to conceal these facts, survived Armenians told the truth. When people tried to flee and pull through assaulters of Azeris’ groups, they were attacked by metallic rods, scissors and hatchets. According to the witnesses, defense ministry forces were watching all this without interfering and keeping out of the developments.

This April 24 is the 95th anniversary of Armenian Genocide. In this regard Schiff declared: “Just as we cannot allow the first genocide of 20th century be buried in oblivion, same way victims of Sumgait events can be forgotten.”

S.T.