Officials say POW statement on unwillingness to go home made under pressure
An Azerbaijani soldier who has been in Armenian
captivity for over two months has told local TV channels that he is
unwilling to return home.
19-year-old Rafig Hasanov reportedly requested that Armenian TV broadcasters tape his interview. Hasanov said he had crossed over to the Armenian side of the frontline voluntarily, claiming to be motivated by the allegedly violent behavior of Azerbaijani army officers.
The serviceman also claimed he was treated well while in Armenian captivity.
"I will stay here and will not return to Azerbaijan. Do not look for me, I am well off in this country," Hasanov said.
Commenting on the matter, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said Hasanov had made the statement under pressure to defame the Azerbaijani military. The ministry also said that forcing the soldier to make statements against his homeland violated international conventions.
Observers noted that just two days ago Hasanov wrote in a letter to his family that he wanted to return home. The fact that he made a contrary statement on Armenian television indicates that he was being insincere, said officials.
Hasanov was captured by Armenian armed forces near Azerbaijan`s Gazakh district along the frontline on October 8 under unclear circumstances. Earlier, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said he was being subjected to torture while in captivity.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus republics reared up in the late 1980s due to Armenia`s territorial claims. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory since the early 1990s. Years of peace talks have brought few tangible results.
19-year-old Rafig Hasanov reportedly requested that Armenian TV broadcasters tape his interview. Hasanov said he had crossed over to the Armenian side of the frontline voluntarily, claiming to be motivated by the allegedly violent behavior of Azerbaijani army officers.
The serviceman also claimed he was treated well while in Armenian captivity.
"I will stay here and will not return to Azerbaijan. Do not look for me, I am well off in this country," Hasanov said.
Commenting on the matter, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said Hasanov had made the statement under pressure to defame the Azerbaijani military. The ministry also said that forcing the soldier to make statements against his homeland violated international conventions.
Observers noted that just two days ago Hasanov wrote in a letter to his family that he wanted to return home. The fact that he made a contrary statement on Armenian television indicates that he was being insincere, said officials.
Hasanov was captured by Armenian armed forces near Azerbaijan`s Gazakh district along the frontline on October 8 under unclear circumstances. Earlier, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said he was being subjected to torture while in captivity.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus republics reared up in the late 1980s due to Armenia`s territorial claims. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory since the early 1990s. Years of peace talks have brought few tangible results.
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