Rise in crime in one single military unit?

"For the first time in the last 10 years, officially recognized was the growth of crime in the structures of the armed forces of Azerbaijan," the military expert Jaasur Sumerinli commented on performance by the military prosecutor Khanlar Veliyev at a meeting in the military prosecutor's office on the results of the first half of 2013.

According to Veliyev, at the time, while in other units of the Defense Ministry the number of crimes decreased, it increased 21.25 in the Third Military Union (western direction).

It is interesting that in the Third Unit in the first half of 2013 the number of non-combat losses compared to last year remained the same - 10 dead and as many wounded. Therefore, the growth of crime associated with criminal acts.

Centre for Military Studies "Doctrine" led by Sumerinli believes that the protrusion of the situation in the Third Unit is associated with the contradictions between his commander, Lieutenant General Rovshan Akbarov and Defense Minister Safar Abiyev.

Back in January Akbarov was severely reprimanded for the death of a soldier Jeyhoon Gubadov that caused public outcry and became the cause of the mass protests in Baku on 12 January.

According to some media reports, Akperov was not invited to the military parade on July 26 and made participation in the parade only after he personally asked the leadership of the country.

 "Doctrine" believes Akperov is secretly fighting for the post of defense minister, and a public statement about the growth of crime in his Junction is an attempt to counteract the ambition of Akperov.

Another notable point in the speech of the military prosecutor became most common crimes in the army:

- A violation of the regulations on the relationship between the military;

- The growth of desertion;

- Infringement of the rules of management and operation of transport.

In total, according to the "Doctrine" on July 26, the loss of Azerbaijani Army from the beginning of the year amounted to 55 people and another 71 were wounded or injured. In this case, eight people were killed by Armenian bullets, and 47 were non-combat losses.

6 people were killed in accidents (drowned, fallen, or blown up by anti-personnel mines), 11 - car accidents, 3 - crash (helicopter), 2 for unknown reasons, 1 - inadvertently, 1 - killed by a civilian, 6 - were victims of bullying relationships, 6 - from disease, 11 - committed suicide.

It is noteworthy that the military prosecutor did not speak about the growth of suicides - 15 percent, compared with the same period last year.

Despite the large purchases of arms and equipment, the armed forces are experiencing a serious crisis of governance.

"The permanent guide by the same officials in the Ministry of Defense, unhealthy control, low level of social welfare of the personnel, inadequate salaries of officers and warrant officers, the lack of a healthy relationship between the military and inactivity of the laws are all reasons for the rise of crime in the army," said Sumerinli.

If the authorities want major changes in the military, they should dismiss the Defense Ministry, headed by Abiyev and start radical reforms.

Otherwise, the cosmetic changes will create serious problems of national security, said Sumerinli. -06D-