An Azerbaijan MP has blamed Russia for shooting down the passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan, describing the situation as "impossible to deny."
The plane crash, which killed 38 people, was first reported on December 25, with European news outlet Euronews reporting that a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash, per Azerbaijani government sources.
Newsweek contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Local officials have said that 38 people were killed in the crash, including an 11-year-old boy and his mother, with 67 people on board. The flight was headed to Southern Russia and was approaching the country's airspace when it crashed.
Passengers included citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said the aircraft was directed to Aktau "due to an emergency landing requirement and crashed near the city."
What To Know
Azerbaijani intelligence has blamed Russia for the crash, with Euronews reporting on intelligence from anonymous Azerbaijani government sources that said the plane was not given permission to land in Russia despite requesting an emergency landing.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight number J2-8243, was then forced to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan after crossing the Caspian Sea.
Azerbaijan MP Rasim Musabekov called on Russia to provide compensation for those affected in the crash, describing the country as "unsafe" and the allegations as "impossible to deny."
The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that 37 Azerbaijani citizens were on board the flight, along with 16 Russians, six passengers from Kazakhstan and three from Kyrgyzstan.
What People Are Saying
Azerbaijan MP Rasim Musabekov said in a statement: "The plane was shot down on Russian territory, in the skies over Grozny. And it is impossible to deny it.
"Those who did this must bear criminal responsibility, compensation must be paid for the deaths of people and the victims. If this does not happen, then the relationship will certainly flow in another direction.
"This is how civilized relationships work. If an air defense system is working, then the airport should be closed; it should be announced so that nobody will fly there. Therefore the perpetrators must be brought to justice."
What Happens Next
An investigation into the crash is being carried out by a coalition of countries including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Brazil, which will use the plane's black box to determine the cause of the crash.
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