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During the military diversion against the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in summer 2014, Sarkhan, a soldier from the Azerbaijani army who lost his two legs during the clashes, and two more gravely wounded soldiers were sent to the Turkish capital, Ankara, for treatment, Korrespondent.az writes.

Back then, the Azerbaijani media published a lot of articles about how their “heroes, who fought against the enemy,” received a great attention and care in Azerbaijan and Turkey. Photos of MPs visiting the soldiers in hospitals were published. There were even reports about Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov and the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visiting the “heroes” in Ankara. Moreover, after the treatment was completed, a ceremony of solemn greeting was organised in the soldiers’ honour as soon as they returned to Baku from Ankara.

Sarkhan, who uses wheelchair, complained to Korrespondent.az of his plight and of negligence. He said that while he was still in Ankara, he asked for a chance to attend computer courses to get a profession and work. However, the people who had taken him to Turkey made it clear to him that he was there only for treatment.

“After the ceremony of the solemn greeting in Baku, the fairy-tale ended for Sarkhan and the real life began,” the website writes.

Sarkhan said his life seemed to stop after his return from Turkey.

“I turned to Ganira Pashayeva. She sent me to the MP Rufat Guliyev, who was representing Lankaran in the Parliament. I went to him. He said I was not from his constituency and that he could not help me. As if he were another country’s MP. He didn’t even move,” he said.

Sarkhan also told the website about turning to the MP Hadi Rajabli for help. During Sarkhan’s treatment in Turkey, the MP sent 50 manats a month to his family as an aid. However, as soon as Sarkhan returned from Turkey, the aid stopped.

“I went to him but he said I already receive disability pension so he could be of no help anymore. The Defence Ministry left a phone number to me so that I could call them in case I needed something. Now either my calls or my messages are left unanswered. My father has a level 2 disability. I live at my mother’s expense.  I am ashamed that I live. Everyone who sees my plight don’t want to serve in the army,” the disabled soldier said.