Azerbaijan Calls for Respect from Moscow Following Plane Crash
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his disappointment on Monday with Moscow’s handling of the aftermath of the tragic plane crash on December 25 that claimed the lives of 38 people. Aliyev’s remarks came during a meeting with two surviving flight attendants and relatives of the crew members who perished in the crash. The President criticized Moscow for seemingly attempting to downplay the incident, sparking surprise, regret, and rightful indignation in Azerbaijan.
What Happened?
The Azerbaijan Airlines jet Embraer 190 was en route from Baku to the Chechen city of Grozny in southern Russia when it crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau, killing 38 out of the 67 individuals on board. Investigations by Azerbaijani and US officials revealed that a Russian surface-to-air missile was responsible for downing the aircraft. Aliyev demanded apologies from Moscow, leading to Russian President Vladimir Putin issuing an apology on December 28 without claiming direct responsibility for the tragedy.
What Did Putin Say?
During a phone call with Aliyev, Putin cited ongoing fighting in the region but refrained from accepting blame for the jet’s downing. He expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Despite mounting evidence implicating Russian air defense in the crash, Moscow has yet to acknowledge responsibility, fueling allegations of imperial arrogance and a lack of accountability.
Interpreting the Incident
The response from Moscow following the plane crash has been viewed as a display of imperial arrogance by some analysts. Farid Shafiyev, the chairman of a Baku-affiliated think tank, criticized Moscow’s handling of the situation as indicative of a lingering sense of superiority over former Soviet states. As families of the victims seek closure and justice, calls for a genuine apology from the Kremlin resonate deeply. Joshgun Nesibli, the brother of one of the flight attendants on the ill-fated flight, emphasized the importance of accountability over financial compensation, underscoring the emotional toll of the tragedy on those left behind.
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