THREE ARMENIAN SOLDIERS WHO PASSED VOLUNTARILY TO AZERBAIJANI TERRITORY WANT TO HEAD TO A THIRD COUNTRY
Today.Az
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March 5 2009
Azerbaijan
Three Armenian soldiers who passed voluntarily to Azerbaijani territory
on February 28 refuse to return home.
Three Armenian servicemen Grant Markosyan, Rafik Tevosyan and Vardan
Sargsyan who voluntarily passed to Azerbaijani territory on February
28 gave an exclusive interview to ANS TV. The servicemen who are
all Armenian citizens crossed the contactline between Armenian and
Azerbaijani troops in the territory of Aghdam region, Azerbaijan. They
said the reason why they decided to pass to Azerbaijani side was due
to injustice they faced in the Armenian army and their ailing health
condition. Complaining of fractures in his spine, Grant Markosyan
said his complaints were neglected while he was in the army. "I was
complaining for last four months. I told dozens of times that I had
a fracture on my spine and that it was severely aching. However,
they neglected my complaints. They used to beat us frequently. They
neither care, nor treat us. Therefore, I decided I could no longer
serve under that condition. I informed the commander of the military
unit where I was serving. Only after that they sent us to hospital."
The other captive Rafik Tevosyan said that a great deal of bribe
is demanded from Armenians who do not wanrt to serve in Daqliq
Qarabaq. Genarally, "dedovshina" is very strong in Daqliq Qarabaq Army.
""Dedovshina" is reigning in the army. When we receive money officers
take it from us. Elder soldiers beat us and make us to perform their
tasks. I told my commander that I had problems with my kidney. But my
words were not received seriously. My health state became worse and
they had to take me to hospital. But I could not receive any treatment
there. Chief of the hospital almost turned me out of the hospital".
The health of Vardan Sargsyan, holding the same surname with the
President of Armenia is in more serious in comparison with the other
captives. He should have been released from military service due to
his internal diseases. But a great deal of money was demanded from
him. "I was demanded USD 15 000. But we had not so much money. When I
addressed to my company commander with this regard he made a game of
me as he did with others. He did not pay attention to me. Therefore
my disease became worse. Then I addressed the battalion commander
and was hospitalized after many difficulties. But I could not receive
any treatment in the hospital", he said.
After long humiliations and difficulties the soldiers decided to
pass to Azerbaijani side and they do not want to return to Armenia
any more. "We decided to run away and to come to Azerbaijan. We knew
everything is OK in Azerbaijan. Therefore we want to pass to the
third countries. Because there is no life for us in Armenia. Life is
impossible in Armenia", Armenian captive Grant Markosyan said.
Paruyr Simonyan who took refuge in Azerbaijan 10 months ago underlining
his counterparts made a right decision considers the number of soldiers
running away from Armenian army will be more. "I think these persons
have taken a courageous step. Because serving in Armenian army is
impossible. I have told the reason of that. These persons suffered
the same tortures as I had. Coming to Azerbaijan they made a very
optimistic decision. These persons did not want to serve and ran away
from the army. As far as I know, this person had problems with his
kidney. And they knowing this send him to serve in the army", he added.
Remind that, Azerbaijani government is holding talks with regard to
sending Paruyr Simonyan to the third countries.