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Mahir Rzayev, Karabakh war veteran in Azerbaijan, lives in a one-room shack without windows, actually in anti-sanitary conditions, with his nine-member family, the website of the Azerbaijani Azadlig newspaper writes.

The shack is situated in front of Sumgait cemetery. The inhabitants protect themselves from the wind with rugs and covers. The only room serves as living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. “This home does not belong to an average Azerbaijani citizen. A veteran, who spoilt his health in war, lives here. An Azerbaijani flag soars on the roof of the house. It can be noticed from a few kilometres distance. It is the flag he fought for, becoming disabled. Nevertheless, the reality is that neither the veteran status, nor the flag of the homeland provide clothes for Mahir Rzayev’s children to go to school,” the newspaper writes.

Mahir Rzayev did not wish to talk with Azadlig reporter in front of the camera being ashamed of his plight. The neighbours say his children do not go to school because they do not have means. Children of their age are eighth and ninth grades students.
“A man who has fought in Karabakh is not able to support his family. This situation is a shame for our state,” Azadlig writes.
A neighbour of the family said that the state that must be ashamed of this plight, rather than the Rzayevs. The neighbours also said no one has enquired why his children do not go to school. They will do that when the children reach the military enlistment age, however.

The discussion of the problems of Karabakh war veterans and those disabled as a result of the war actualised in Azerbaijan after December 25, 2013, when Karabakh war 2nd group disabled Zaur Hasanov committed a self-immolation in Baku as a protest against the violation of his civil rights by Settar Mehbaliev, the chairman of Azerbaijan confederation of trade unions. The official had seized his café, which was the only source of income for Hasanov, father of five.

Despair drives the Karabakh war veterans to commit self-immolation to reach for the authorities of the country. Rey Karimoglu, spokesman for the Karabakh Invalids’ Organisation, says many veterans live in terrible conditions, and appeals to the authorities for help go unheeded.