War participants complain about ignoring their merits

Baku/29.06.21/Turan: Several dozen participants of the Second Karabakh War held a protest rally in front of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Monday. They protested against inaction of the authorities, disregard of their merits and service in battle, as well as failure to support by the Ministry.

The rally was attended by war veterans who fought for liberation of Fuzuli, Jabrail, Khojavend, Shusha.

They stated that their names had not been included in the lists of those awarded with medals and orders for the liberation of the above-mentioned cities and districts. Some complainers claimed for not being granted veteran status or disability.

"They do not give us the status of a veteran. We served in the one and same platoon – one is given a medal, the another is not. We complain but nobody gives us hearing," said one of the protesters.

"I took part in the battles for Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Khojavend but I was not awarded. The Defense Ministry says that my name is missing the list of the military unit, and simultaneously they say that they included my name," said a participant in the war.

Another protester said that he was wounded in the fighting; however, he was told that he took no part  in combat operations. Also, another protester said that he lost three fingers on his hand in the battles; however, he was given neither medal nor disability status.

Other of participants of the rally complained about the non - provision of disability, extortion for provision of this status and lack of medals.

Of interest is the fact that no representatives of the Ministry of Defense came to meet the protesters. - 03B06-