Azerbaijan turns down CIS-led investigation into AZAL plane crash Demands International Expert Team

Following the recent aviation disaster, Russia and Kazakhstan proposed that the investigation be conducted by the International Aviation Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

However, according to sources within the Azerbaijani government, Baku has declined this suggestion, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Official statements from Baku indicate that the country is demanding an investigation led by an international group of experts, including specialists from Embraer.

Azerbaijan believes that the analysis of the "black box" should also be carried out by this team.

To recall, according to reliable sources within the Azerbaijani government, Caliber.Az has learned that the preliminary findings of an investigation into the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, indicate the plane was struck by Russia’s Pantsir-S air defence system during its approach to Grozny.

Further reports reveal that Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems caused a complete failure of the Azerbaijani aircraft's communication system, which led to the plane disappearing from radar within Russian airspace.

The aircraft only reappeared over the Caspian Sea. Russian officials have stated that, at the time, their air defence systems were targeting Ukrainian drones. The head of the Chechen Republic Security Council, Khamzat Kadyrov, confirmed a drone strike on Grozny on the morning of 25th December but claimed there were no casualties or damage.

Despite the situation, Russian authorities failed to close the airspace to civilian flights, raising questions as to why a no-fly zone was not declared over Chechnya.

The Grozny airport refused to allow the Azerbaijani aircraft to land, and it was also denied permission to land in Makhachkala and Mineralnye Vody. The aircraft, which had been subjected to both air defence fire and EW disruption, was redirected to Aktau in Kazakhstan. There are suspicions that the aim was for the plane to crash into the Caspian Sea, but these remain speculative. Witness reports suggest involvement of air defence systems, and two passengers were injured by shrapnel.

Baku expects Russia to take responsibility, issue an apology, and conduct a thorough investigation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev