Uzeir Jafarov: "Azerbaijani soldier was killed by his comrades-in-arms"

Famous independent military expert Uzeir Jafarov told Echo commenting on the death of Azerbaijani peacekeeper in Iraq that "we have again witnessed the disrespect of the Defense Ministry towards the country's community. I am speaking of soldier Aghayev. The defense Ministry conceals the true facts about what happened in Iraq.

Sources from our military peacekeeping unit in Al-Khadija told me that the defense ministry does not make information public on purpose, as Rafael Aghayev was killed in queer circumstance.

By saying he was killed fulfilling his duties, the Defense Ministry tries to find the way out of the complicated situation. It is clear that a soldier could hardly commit suicide three days before the completion of his service duty. This implies a crime against Aghayev. But who did it?- this issue should be clarified by the Defense Ministry.

I was told that the soldier was killed by our own people. I have not managed to learn the reasons so far, but it is clear that the tragedy occurred not by the soldier's fault. My sources do not confirm the version of death in the result of terrorist attack, on the contrary, they state that Aghayev was killed by his comrades-in-arms.

Why does the Defense Ministry conceal the circumstances of the death by using an unclear phrase? "Fulfillment of duties" is too sweeping. For example, it can imply the situation if Aghayev, being on the duty, were killed by a militant or tripped a mine.

But I trust the information provided by the sources from the military unit, where the deceased served. Anyway, we will know the truth in a month or two. I do not trust the Defense Ministry now and there are definite causes for it.

But I am astonished atthe unscrupulousness of our officers, who allowed Aghayev's death. I have said repeatedly that one should not be confident that nothing will occur with our peacekeepers. The tragic list is open. And if today no reaction is given to what happened to Aghayev, the parents of soldiers, serving abroad, will insist on their withdrawal. This was a crime and the Military prosecutor's office of Azerbaijan should institute a criminal case on the fact. Now time works not on the Defense Ministry, and definite information, affecting the image of our armed divisions abroad, is received.

Echo