INFORMATION ABOUT AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER’S WILL TO RECEIVE ARMENIAN CITIZENSHIP RELEASED PURPOSEFULLY: DEFENCE MINISTRY

Today.Az
cs/52765.html
June 2 2009
Azerbaijan

Information about the willingness of Azerbaijani soldier, who has
been kept in capture in Armenia, to receive the Armenian citizenship
is released purposefully, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported.

"We have repeatedly faced Armenia’s tricky policy. This message can
be evaluated as a response to the fact that the Azerbaijani side has
recently voluntarily surrendered two Armenian soldiers," member of
the press service of Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan Teymur Abdullayev
told Trend News on Tuesday.

Azerbajani soldier Rafig Hasanov wished to stay in Armenia and to
receive the Armenian citizenship, Defense Minister of Armenia Seyran
Ohanian said.

Hasanov was captured by Armenians on Oct. 8, 2008.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7
districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed
a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia,
France, and the U.S. – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

The Armenian side tortures Hasanov and forces him to make such
statements.

Ohan Harutunyan Vadinagiyevich and Gevorq Tomosyan Serzhikovich,
soldiers of the training detachment of the 7th mountain rifle regiment
of the Armenian Defense Ministry 38862 military unit, complained
of unbearable conditions and tortures and said that they crossed
to Azerbaijan due to this reason. Three more Armenian soldiers,
Qrant Markosyan, Arthur Vartevyan and Alik Tevosyan were voluntarily
captured by Azerbaijani army in Agjaduz area of Agdam region.

Azerbaijan has two hostages in Armenia currently.