YEREVAN. – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, along with First Lady Rita Sargsyan, visited the capital city Yerevan’s Armenian Genocide Memorial early in the morning on Wednesday, April 24, and laid a wreath to the monument (Photo).

The President was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, PM Tigran Sargsyan, Constitutional Court President Gagik Harutyunyan, interim Government members, and MPs.     

At the memorial, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II offered a requiem service in memory of the 1.5 million innocent victims of the Genocide.

Thousands of Armenian citizens, Diaspora Armenians, and foreign guests are visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial since early morning. 

At present, the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Yerevan are laying wreaths to the monument.  

To note, on Wednesday, April 24, Armenians living worldwide commemorate the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century.

Under the instruction of the Ottoman rulers, a massacre and a mass deportation of the Armenians had commenced on this day in 1915. The victims of these atrocities exceed 1.5 million.

The fact of the Armenian Genocide is recognized by numerous countries. It was first recognized in 1965 by Uruguay. The Armenian Genocide is also recognized by Russia, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, and 42 US states. The Armenian Genocide is also recognized by The Vatican, the European Parliament, and the World Council of Churches.

Photos by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am