Azerbaijani soldier who entered Shaki had “no intent to kill”, says Investigative Committee chief
- Published
- Place
- Shaki, Syunik, Armenia
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
Azerbaijani soldier Nasimi Musayev, held in Armenia since early October, “had no intention of killing”, Investigative Committee chairman Artur Poghosyan told reporters at the National Assembly on 3 November. On 1 October, the serviceman entered a house in the village of Shaki, near Sisian in Syunik province, and shot a resident, Ani Avetisyan, who was seriously wounded; her two children were also injured. According to Poghosyan, the soldier, who had got lost in fog, has been questioned and described his route, the details of which remain confidential under investigative secrecy. He is charged with offences including grievous bodily harm, unlawful deprivation of liberty, violating the inviolability of a home, theft and illegal border crossing. The investigation is expected to end soon.
Analysis
The remarks drew questions: one journalist asked the Investigative Committee chief whether, like other officials, he was trying to exonerate a man who shot and seriously wounded a resident, which he denied. The case remains sensitive in Syunik, a province bordering Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan, Nasimi Musayev faces desertion charges: according to Baku, he left his unit in the Lachin area on 26 September.
Possible consequences
A closed-door session on the case is scheduled at the National Assembly on 5 November. Remanded in custody for two months on 2 October, the soldier remains in detention while the investigation is completed.
