President Ilham Aliyev was “deeply troubled” by Karabakh war veteran Zaur Hasanov’s suicide attempt and instructed his government to provide Hasanov and his family with assistance, a senior government official said.

“We hope that Zaur Hasanov will soon recover and return to his family,” Ali Hasanov, head of the public and political department at the presidential office, said in an interview with state news agency Azartac.Zaur Hasanov set himself on fire in central Baku on Dec. 25 in protest against what he described as illegal seizure of his land by MP Sattar Mehbaliyev, who also heads the Confederation of Trade Unions. Mehbaliyev dismissed the allegation, saying Hasanov had used the land illegally before it was taken from him by a court ruling.Hasanov was hospitalized with severe burns and is said to be in critical condition. He was visited by Health Minister Oqtay Shiraliyev and senior members of the ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party.

Several groups have used Facebook to call for a demonstration on central Fountains’ Square on Dec. 28 in support of Hasanov.

Mehbaliyev today promised to pay Hasanov 100,000 manat ($127,000) in one-off compensation for damage and also a monthly payment of 1,500 manat to his family. 

ANN.Az