Azernews.Az

BAKU - Azerbaijan’s top cleric intends to appeal to the Patriarch of Russian Orthodox Church Kirill to facilitate repatriation of the dead body of the Azerbaijani soldier killed in June in a frontline shooting with Armenian troops.

Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazada, the Caucasus Muslims Office chairman, told reporters Saturday that he would raise the issue at a meeting with Patriarch Kirill to be held soon.

Warrant officer Mubariz Ibrahimov displayed outstanding heroism during the clashes on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops on June 18-19, single-handedly killing four Armenian soldiers and wounding four others. His corpse has not been returned to this day. President Ilham Aliyev has conferred Azerbaijani National Hero Award to the soldier for his exemplary bravery and outstanding service.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict for two decades. Armenia has been occupying over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory since the early 1990s. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but efforts by international mediators have been largely fruitless so far, and sporadic clashes on the frontline continue.