AZERBAIJAN DOES NOT BELIEVE IN SINCERITY OF SAMIR MAMEDOV’S DESIRE TO STAY IN ARMENIA
ArmInfo
2007-06-18 18:45:00
Samir Mamedov deserted to the Armenian party at the end of last
year. The soldier explained his action by the violent treatment in the
Azerbaijani army. Earlier this year, Mamedov applied to the President
of Armenia for a status of refugee.
However, Azerbaijan believes "the developments around S. Mamedov
another slander of Armenia’s propaganda machine." "The Azerbaijani
State Commission for POWs, Hostages and the Missing reiterates that
on the basis of the International Humanitarian Law and the accepted
practice, the countries at war must repatriate hostages without
reservations and that the signatories of Geneva Conventions dated
August 12 1949 must observe them. Under the given Conventions,
a hostage cannot be left in the hostile country for permanent
residence or used an instrument of influence and propaganda against
his country. The State Commission continues its activity aimed at
release of S. Mamedov and his repatriation and urges international
orgnaisations to take measures to bring Armenia observe its
international obligations," Azerbaijani media report.
It is noteworthy that S. Mamedov voluntarily deserted to the Armenian
party.
Moreover, Azerbaijan automatically declares the person once
taken hostage a parricide and sentences him for long years of
imprisonment. Naturally, S. Mamedov has no desire to spend 10-15
years in prison.