Intimate video raises the question of revising the policy on public service

The Prosecutor General's Office started an investigation  regarding the dissemination on the Internet of a video clip of intimate content with the participation of employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The  video  which  has had an effect of bombshell,  appeared on social media a few days ago and is being presented in parts. The footage shows  an official  in the  rank of colonel "having fun" at different times in his office with employees of the department.

It is curious that at the same time,  the same footage was distributed on different Internet platforms. This  means  that the leak of intimate personnel is aimed at discrediting the department in which this colonel worked, or rather the leadership of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

There was no official statement regarding the incident. Representatives of the authorities, the Ministry of Emergency Situations tried to pass over this issue in silence. It will not be a mistake if we say that it was quickly hushed up and removed from the agenda.

However, questions still remain open. Who ordered the distribution of the video clips on social networks that blew up the agenda? Who hit the Ministry of Emergency Situations below the belt?

Political observer Oktay Qasimov answered ASTNA's questions.

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Question: Who or what was behind the intimate scandal of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, which got on the agenda of Azerbaijan and caused the effect of a "bombshell"? Who distributed these images and why? Who hit the Ministry of Emergency Situations below the belt?

Answer: First of all, it should be noted that the distribution of these videos shocked the public and undermined the confidence of citizens in state institutions, thousands of civil servants who conscientiously work for the benefit of the Motherland, and especially in our women. The behavior of officials, their observance of moral standards, their honor and dignity, are again on the agenda.  It is difficult to say something unambiguously about who is  behind this. There are various versions, such as the struggle between intra-power groups or competing groups in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, an attempt by the 5th column to change the country's agenda. Until the truth is revealed, each of these versions will have the right to exist.

Question: Was the dissemination of these videos aimed at discrediting the officials, or is this the result of a struggle between intra-power groups (or between state structures)?

Answer: As I have already mentioned, until the truth is revealed, all assumptions will have the right to exist. In general, the distribution of this video damages the reputation of government officials, and casts a shadow on thousands of honest government officials. Those who distributed this video should have known that our enemies are also watching these materials, causing serious moral damage to all of us as a society.

Question: They say that these videos  were  filmed for 6 years, and their  distribution right now raises questions. In addition, footage from the office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations  have been spread just after searches conducted by the State Security Service in the Customs Committee and the arrest of some people. There is an opinion that for many years the customs committee functioned as a structure under the unofficial supervision of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, or rather Minister Kemaladdin Heydarov. Later, during the chairmanship of Safar Mehdiyev, relations between the Customs Committee and the Ministry of Emergency Situations became cool. Now strikes are being made on Safar Mehdiyev. And now this video. Is there a connection between these two questions? Revenge, intrigue, struggle and so on ...

Answer: The statements you noted are voiced as an assumption. Since we do not have facts to support these claims, it would be wrong to make a specific judgment, therefore, all assumptions remain relevant. As for the version  that these materials were distributed due to cool relations between the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Customs Committee, I do not consider it convincing. Only those who distribute these materials know exactly the purpose - revenge, intrigue, internal struggle.

Question: As I have already mentioned, this event, which had the effect of an exploding bomb, quickly disappeared from the agenda and, one might say, there was no official statement on this issue. Is it possible that the authorities chose to remain silent in order to remove this issue from the agenda? And if so, why? Is it a provocation against the state, or are there other reasons?

Answer: As you know, the Ministry of Emergency Situations made a rather evasive statement. Whether it satisfied the public or not is another question. In any case, society is waiting for taking  some measures against the officials who allowed or did not prevent this. Because people creating conditions  for those  who committed this immoral act, must also be held accountable for the damage they caused to the morality of society and the image of the state. It is also necessary to find out  how such people make a dizzying career in such a short time. I support the removing this issue from the agenda as soon as possible. Because I do not want us, as a state, as a society, to be distracted from the main agenda. There are serious issues related to Karabakh and the normalization of relations with Armenia. Their timely resolution is very important for our future.

Question: And finally, what steps should the authorities take to avoid such events?

Answer: The selection of civil service personnel is  very sensitive issue. The prosedure  of selection and  appointment officials, who are considered the showcase of the state, should be transparent and objective, and must be   under strict  control. The main criterion in the selection of personnel should be devotion to state, high moral qualities, knowledge and abilities. If these principles are not observed, then we will not be able to get rid of such negative aspects as nepotism and parochialism, and therefore we will not be able to be insured against such events.