Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
October 28, 2008 Tuesday

AZERI LAWMAKERS URGE ARMY SCRUTINY AFTER INCIDENT

Azerbaijani lawmakers have offered to scrutinize the situation in the
countrys army. MP Gular Ahmadova of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party
told a sitting of the Milli Majlis (parliament) on Tuesday that
psychological tension has been lately observed in the countrys
military. A video-clip showing alleged mass beatings of soldiers was
posted on the Internet in early October. The clip showed two mature
servicemen taking turns beating over 10 young soldiers. Afterwards,
footage of officers of higher ranks beating soldiers who were being
treated at a medical facility of a military unit appeared online,
prompting an investigation by the Military Prosecutors Office.

Criminal cases have been launched over both incidents. The culprits
have been arrested and the supervisors of the military units where the
footage was recorded dismissed. Ahmadova suggested that the scrutiny
in the army cover not only private soldiers but also high-ranking
officers. Steps should be taken to improve the current psychological
condition of soldiers. A format should be found on scrutinizing the
plight of the army. I believe there should be a relevant decision of
the Cabinet of Ministers, as well, Ahmadova said. Independent MP Aynur
Jamalgyzy accused the Defense Ministrys press-service of an
indifferent approach to issues regarding the military. The fact that
the ministrys press-service received information about the recent
capture of an Azerbaijani soldier by Armenians from the media is
unacceptable, she claimed.