Armenian POW seeking Azeri citizenship
An Armenian soldier who voluntarily crossed over to
Azerbaijan is seeking to become an Azeri citizen. Paruyr Stepanian,
19, has already requested the authorities to be naturalized.
Stepanian indicated in his appeal that tens of Armenian servicemen are willing to cross over to Azerbaijan due to unbearable conditions in the home country`s armed forces.
"Corruption and bribery have wiped out the patriotism sentiments in the Armenian military, and no one has hope for a better tomorrow. Everyone there faces the threat of being slandered and arrested, graft and beatings. Part of the officers` salaries is being embezzled by top commanders. Instead of serving in such bitter conditions, the servicemen would prefer to cross over to the Azerbaijani side."
Stepanian had served at a military unit in Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, an Azerbaijani region occupied by Armenian armed forces, and drifted to the Azerbaijani side in May 2008 due to arbitrariness in the Armenian army. According to him, during his service, he had promised a bribe to his commanders ahead of time to be released on leave. Since he was unable to pay the amount after he was back from leave, he was being subjected to torture on a daily basis and deprived of sleep. He could not persevere the beatings several times during the day and subsequently drifted to the Azerbaijani side. Afterwards, he successfully underwent lengthy treatment to rid him of psychological tension and to heal the bruises on his body.
Stepanian indicated in his appeal that tens of Armenian servicemen are willing to cross over to Azerbaijan due to unbearable conditions in the home country`s armed forces.
"Corruption and bribery have wiped out the patriotism sentiments in the Armenian military, and no one has hope for a better tomorrow. Everyone there faces the threat of being slandered and arrested, graft and beatings. Part of the officers` salaries is being embezzled by top commanders. Instead of serving in such bitter conditions, the servicemen would prefer to cross over to the Azerbaijani side."
Stepanian had served at a military unit in Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, an Azerbaijani region occupied by Armenian armed forces, and drifted to the Azerbaijani side in May 2008 due to arbitrariness in the Armenian army. According to him, during his service, he had promised a bribe to his commanders ahead of time to be released on leave. Since he was unable to pay the amount after he was back from leave, he was being subjected to torture on a daily basis and deprived of sleep. He could not persevere the beatings several times during the day and subsequently drifted to the Azerbaijani side. Afterwards, he successfully underwent lengthy treatment to rid him of psychological tension and to heal the bruises on his body.
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