Health minister visits Azeri man who set himself alight

Health Minister Oqtay Shiraliyev today visited Zaur Hasanov, a Karabakh war veteran who burned himself following a property dispute with the Confederation of Trade Unions.The minister instructed doctors to “take all the necessary measures” to help Hasanov, who was hospitalized with severe burns after the suicide attempt, the Azeri service of Radio Free Europe said.

Hasanov, who was disabled during the war with Armenia over Karabakh, set himself ablaze in central Baku on Dec. 25 in protest against what he described as illegal seizure of his land by Sattar Mehbaliyev, head of the Confederation of Trade Unions.

Mehbaliyev said the land had been used by Hasanov illegally and therefore was taken from him by a court ruling.

Pictures of the self-immolation were posted online and shared on social networks. Some groups on Facebook called for a demonstration on Dec. 28. 

ANN.Az