11 months have passed since the Azerbaijani passenger plane flying on the Baku–Grozny route crashed in Kazakhstan after being shot down in Russian territory. Now, 15 days remain until the investigation's completion date.
The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan has announced that it will disclose the final results of the investigation into the AZAL plane crash near Aktau after receiving opinions from foreign laboratories.
Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev previously stated that the investigation into the accident is being conducted in two directions: one is through the Prosecutor General's Office as a criminal case, within which cooperation is being carried out with Russian and Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies. The other direction is a technical investigation conducted by the Ministry of Transport.
According to the Ministry, final expert opinions are awaited from the manufacturers and license holders of the aviation and navigation equipment used in the aircraft for the completion of the process. According to Bozumbaev, the report may be ready by the end of this year or early next year.
In a statement to Modern.az, **Ilkin Orujov**, director of the Azerbaijani Center in Kazakhstan, said that they are eagerly awaiting official information regarding the investigation commission's final decision:
"First and foremost, it should be noted that the AZAL plane crash in Aktau was a tragic event for all of us. At that time, the Azerbaijani and Kazakh sides promptly coordinated rescue and aid efforts. Currently, we are also eagerly awaiting official information regarding the investigation commission's final decision. One year has passed since the events. We hope that this matter will be concluded in a civilized, transparent, and fair manner. The residents of Aktau city, the Azerbaijani diaspora, and the Consulate General expect the investigation results to be announced very soon. Because all of us participated very actively in this process. At the same time, we understand that such investigations have many stages. It is a very difficult process from a technical point of view."
I. Orujov stated that they hope the investigation results will be announced on December 25, in accordance with the promises made:
"Time is passing, and public concern is naturally arising. Currently, we are simply awaiting the publication of the official information. Only approximately 15 days remain. We hope that, in accordance with the promises made, the final decision will finally be presented to the public. We assume that the decision will be in favor of Azerbaijanis."
