Your trusted source

Yashar Jafarli, the head of Azerbaijani public association "Reserve and retired officers", appealed to U.S. President Barack Obama to express their attitude about the visit of Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev to U.S., Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" reports.

The appeal states that Abiyev is in the office of Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan for 19 years already, and he has systematically violated the rights of military personnel and their families over these years, has signed orders that contradict the Constitution and laws of Azerbaijan.

Huge material damage was caused to thousands of military servicemen and their families during seven years, as since 1998 Safar Abiyev had issued an illegal order to reduce the threefold wage of the servicemen in combat zones. Claims of soldiers who were trying to restore their violated rights are rejected.

"Safar Abiyev has long refused to carry out the 20 findings of the court which were in favor of the servicemen. During his tenure Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev had illegally restricted the powers of the generals in the permutation of duty stations, appropriated the regular ranks of officers and warrant officers, and sometimes gave illegal instructions to deprive the generals of their limited powers," reads the appeal.
It also reads that the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan carries out a "Crusade" against the press, civil society, and against those who criticize him for already several years.

Jafarli expresses his surprise about Abiyev’s invitation to that country "which is considered the cradle of democracy." The appeal also states that on January 27 of this year, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev became 63. According to Azerbaijani law the age limit for colonel general is 63.

"That is to say there is no legal rationale for Safar Abiyev for remaining at the post of the defense minister since January 27, 2013. On this basis, all negotiations with him, agreements and the documents signed cannot be considered legitimate," Jhafarli states.