A traditional torchlight procession was held to the Armenian cross stone in Akhaltsikhe on the initiative of “Zori Zoryan” youth union on Saturday evening. The monument was erected in Marta quarter in commemoration of Armenian Genocide victims.

The participants of the procession were carrying an Armenian flag and torch lights, calling Georgian authorities to follow the example of several countries and recognize the Armenian Genocide under Ottoman Empire in 1915.

The participants led by priest Movses Manukyan prayed for the repose of souls of the innocent victims. Later, the Armenian youths made numerous statements, condemning the Armenian Genocide.

During World War I, the Turkish authorities accused Armenians of showing favor to Russia and used it as a pretext for declaring the Armenian population the nation’s enemy. Many historians consider the events in 1915-1923 as a state-sponsored massacre, genocide. The Armenian side claims over 1.5 million victims, half of the Armenians early in the 20th century.

Many states have recognized the Armenian Genocide. Uruguay was the first to do it in 1965. The Armenian Genocide has since been recognized by Russia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, as well as by 42 of the U.S. states. The Armenian Genocide has also been recognized by Vatican, the European Parliament, and World Church Council.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives approved an Armenian Genocide resolution on March 4.