Armenians worldwide are marking the 29th anniversary of Azerbaijan's genocide of the civilian Armenian population of Maragha, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)

The Azeri troops invaded Maragha, tortured and killed the local civilian population, including women, children, and the elderly. They beheaded 45 villagers, burnt others, took more than 100 women and children as hostages.

"Azerbaijani authorities awarded the perpetrators with high state awards. Their commander was conferred the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan. All this testifies that the Armenophobic and genocidal policy in Azerbaijan is encouraged at the highest state level," the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh said on Saturday, April 10.

"The events in Maragha became the logical continuation of regular, systematic persecutions and genocidal actions committed by Azerbaijan against the Armenians."

Crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations and must be prosecuted and punished, the Foreign Ministry said.