Russia Must Take Responsibility for Shot Down AZAL Aircraft - Hajiyev

Azerbaijan calls on Russia to take responsibility for the downed AZAL aircraft, said Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan.

Official Baku expects Moscow to assume responsibility for the shooting down of the AZAL aircraft near Aktau, Hajiyev stated. According to him, there have been no fundamental changes in Russo-Azerbaijani relations, but recent months have seen certain misunderstandings and growing tensions on the bilateral agenda.

“Such incidents can also occur between neighboring countries. Everything started with an aircraft crash that deeply shocked Azerbaijani society. It took place on Russian territory, in Russian airspace, and we know how it happened — this is no longer a secret. Azerbaijan, as a neighbor and partner, expects Russia to take responsibility and ensure justice in this matter,” he said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung.