Zakir Hasanov

Lieutenant General Zakir Hasanov is an Azeri politician who is the current Defence Minister, and former Interior Minister, of Azerbaijan. Upon coming into office he made controversial militaristic statements in regards to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Political career
He was previously the interior minister.

Defence Minister
Upon coming into office as Defence Minister of Azerbaijan he made controversial militaristic statements in regards to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This included saying that the Azeri army was strong and disciplined as opposed to that of Armenia and that "the situation in the Armenian armed forces is disastrous. In case of war the troops of this country will escape from the field of battle." He also told the European Union that his country would support liberating "its" lands peacefully but he emphasized that Azerbaijan reserves the right to liberate "its occupied lands," this came at the same time as E.U. Special Representative for the South Caucasus Philippe Lefort congratulated him on his appointment. In reaction to his appointment, the head of the Assembly of Armenians from Azerbaijan Grigory Ayvazyan said that there would be more provocation between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "Creating an impression of external danger, Ilham Aliyev's regime [sic] tries to reduce domestic tensions over the last shameful presidential election. Hasanov has big experience in suppressing mass protests against Aliyev's regime. Safar Abiyev was nominated yet by Heydar Aliyev and was a kind of independent figure, while the new defense minister fully depends in Aliyev junior." He also said that it was regrettable that Safar Abiyev had been replaced as he would not use military aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh due to his defeat during the Karabakh War. He also suggested Hasanov appointment could mean that the Azeri army may be used to suppress tensions within Azerbaijan.