Defense Ministry Rejects Claims of "Reserve Officers"

Public Association “Reserve Officers” held on a press conference on Wednesday to highlight violations of the rights of military personnel. It was noted that despite the government's decision to grant the military frontline a three-fold payment, in 1998 Defense Minister, Safar Abiyev, signed a decree to pay double wages, and it was accepted.

Participants of the meeting signed a petition to the President, the Ombudsman, and the chair of the Supreme Court, Ramiz Rzayev. The reserve officers decided to protest outside the Ministry of Defense. On Thursday, the press service of the Defense Ministry denied the accusations voiced. "The information on the lowering the wage of troops serving in the war zone, is not true," reads the statement.

According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on June 8, 1998, the salary of military personnel was increased by 3.5 times, and the salary for the military rank by an average by two times. According to the same decision, service personnel involved in combat operations are paid two-fold for their post for their title.

This decision by the Cabinet of Ministers refers not only to those who participate in combat operations, the Defense Ministry’s service members, but also to other security agencies. The corresponding order of the Ministry was founded on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers. According to the above-mentioned statutory acts, the wage of service members did not decrease, but increased by 2.5 times. For this reason, the claims of reserve officers against the Ministry of Defense are not justified, according to the press service. -16D04-