Korotchenko urges Russia’s Union of Journalists to demand map of minefields from Yerevan

There is a mine threat everywhere in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from the Armenian occupation, Russian military expert, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine Igor Korotchenko wrote on Facebook in connection with the killing of Azerbaijani media workers as a result of a mine explosion in the Kalbajar district, Report informs.

“The mining of the road could have been carried out by Armenian sabotage groups,” Korotchenko said.

“Our colleagues, who were doing their professional duty, were killed. We, the Russian journalists and experts, who recently visited the Aghdam and Fuzuli districts, also risked, but fulfilled our professional duty to objectively inform about what was happening. We could also have been blown up by Armenian mines,” the expert added.

Korotchenko believes that in connection with the death of Azerbaijani journalists, the Union of Journalists of Russia should make an official statement and demand from Yerevan to immediately transfer to Azerbaijan the maps of minefields in the liberated territories, as well as stop sending Armenian saboteurs.

“We are waiting for a reaction to the tragedy from international journalistic unions. The general demand is to exert political pressure on Armenia to force it to hand over the maps of minefields,” Korotchenko wrote.

At about 11.00 am on June 4, 2021, a Kamaz passenger car with employees of TV channels and news agencies dispatched to the de-occupied Kalbajar region for the performance of their official duties was hit by an anti-tank mine while driving in the direction of the Susuzlug village. Three people, including Siraj Abishov (cameraman of AzTV), Maharram Ibrahimov (employee of AzerTaj news agency), Arif Aliyev (deputy representative of the head of the Executive Power in the Susuzlug village), died, and four others were hospitalized with various injuries.

The Military Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has launched a criminal case under Article 100.2 (planning, preparation, initiation, or waging wars of aggression), 116.0.6 (violation of international humanitarian law during an armed conflict), and other articles of the Criminal Code.

The investigation is underway.