On January 20, 1990 a criminal military action was perpetrated against the Azeri people. Soviet military units entered Baku and other regions of the republic to punish peaceful civilians, who took to the street as a token of protest against attempts to violate the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, against unfair and biased policy, pursued by the USSR leadership towards the Azeri people. The Soviets were aided by the traitorous policy of the local leaders. As a result of punitive measures taken üith incredible cruelty, 137 peole were murdered and 612 injured.