Ilham Aliyev: “Justice will prevail in the investigation of the AZAL plane crash”

On December 29, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to Azerbaijan Television at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, where he provided a detailed account of the AZAL plane crash that occurred on December 25 and Azerbaijan’s actions in response to this tragic incident.

The head of state revealed that he learned about the crash while en route to the CIS summit in St. Petersburg. He immediately instructed his plane to return to Baku. Upon arrival at the airport, an emergency meeting was held, and a State Commission was established to investigate all circumstances of the incident. A team of specialists was dispatched to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation, studying the plane wreckage and collecting evidence. Additionally, a group of Azerbaijani doctors was sent to Kazakhstan to assist the injured, even though local medical services were already doing everything possible.

According to the president, preliminary data indicate that the plane was subjected to external interference in Russian airspace near the city of Grozny. The aircraft’s control was disrupted due to electronic warfare interference, and its tail section was significantly damaged by ground fire. The president noted that Azerbaijan had advocated for the involvement of international experts in the investigation from the very beginning to ensure its objectivity and transparency. He expressed disappointment that some Russian official bodies had promoted absurd theories regarding the causes of the crash, such as a bird strike or a gas cylinder explosion. He emphasized that such statements were clearly aimed at concealing the real reasons behind the tragedy.

Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan categorically rejected the proposal to transfer the investigation to the Interstate Aviation Committee, citing potential bias in this organization. Azerbaijan insisted on the involvement of independent international experts. The commission included representatives from the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, as well as specialists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and other countries.

The president paid special attention to the heroism of the plane’s crew, who demonstrated high professionalism and selflessness in an emergency situation. According to Ilham Aliyev, despite losing control of the plane, the pilots and other crew members managed to land the aircraft and save the lives of most passengers. The president emphasized that the crew was aware of the risk to their own lives but fought to the end to ensure the safety of the passengers. On the day of the interview, the head of state attended the farewell ceremony for the deceased crew members and signed a decree to honor all crew members for their selfless actions.

The President of Azerbaijan also expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for Kazakhstan’s prompt assistance. Rescuers and medical personnel arrived at the crash site immediately and began evacuating the injured. The president noted that the solidarity and support shown by Kazakhstani citizens left a deep impression on the Azerbaijani people. President Tokayev personally informed Ilham Aliyev about the progress of the investigation in Kazakhstan and expressed his readiness for full cooperation.

Speaking about the decision to suspend AZAL flights to seven Russian cities, the president stated that this was prompted solely by safety concerns. Flights by Russian airlines to Azerbaijan were also restricted. According to the president, the resumption of flights is possible only with full guarantees of passenger safety. He emphasized that the decision to suspend flights was a transparent and justified step aimed at protecting citizens.

The president also outlined Azerbaijan’s main demands to Russia in connection with the incident. These include official apologies, an admission of guilt, prosecution of those responsible, and compensation for the injured passengers and crew members. Ilham Aliyev reported that Russia had already issued official apologies, but Azerbaijan expects the fulfillment of the remaining demands. The president stressed that all demands are justified, fair, and in line with international norms and standards.

In conclusion, the president emphasized that the investigation into the crash would be completely transparent, and the Azerbaijani public would be regularly informed about its progress. Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that a thorough and objective examination of all circumstances surrounding the tragedy would ensure justice and the punishment of those responsible. The president stated that Azerbaijan would persistently pursue the fulfillment of all its demands and the protection of its citizens’ interests.