ArmInfo. "Azerbaijan has collected evidences and carried out expert examinations on the case of the downed Russian Mi-24 helicopter (on the territory of Armenia, Ed. note) during the escalation of the conflict in Karabakh, the investigation into the catastrophe continues." Head of the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan, Gunay Salimzade, reports.
"Investigations were immediately conducted and a criminal case was launched in the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020, regarding downing Mi-24 military helicopter of the Russian Federation in Nakhchivan part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, expertise was appointed over the case, material evidence was taken, as well as other necessary procedural actions were implemented" the head of the press service told RIA Novosti.
Salimzade also stressed that the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan will ensure the adoption of a legal decision on the case of the crash of the Russian helicopter. "The, investigation of the criminal case is underway now, adoption of legal decision will be provided relevant to comments of appointed expertise," she stressed.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on November 9, 2020 that the Russian Mi-24helicopter was shot down in the air over the territory of Armenia outside the combat zone. Two crew members were killed, one was evacuated with moderate injuries. The Azerbaijani side admitted that it accidentally shot down a Russian helicopter, apologized and expressed its readiness to pay compensation to Russia.
The investigation is also being carried out by the Russian side. Initially, the criminal case was initiated under Article 351 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the rules of flights or preparation for them, resulting in death by negligence), but later it was re-qualified to a more serious article - part 2 of Art. 105 (premeditated murder of two or more persons).