On October 8, 2008 the Azeri soldier who crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and yielded himself prisoner to the Armenian side declared that he would like to assume Armenian citizenship. The Azeri captive stated in an exclusive interview:

“I, Hasanov Rafik Rahman Oghli, was born in 1989 in Yusuvjanli village, Aghdam region. I currently reside in Seferli village in Aghdam region. Why did I cross the border? I was humiliated at the 5th battalion of the brigade #707 located in Ghazakh. I served there for three months, and then I was glad to be moved to the base station where there would be nine soldiers and one Officer. I thought the service would be easier there. However, I was beaten and tortured also at Bazahli base. Unable to stand it any longer, I decided to shoot at my left foot from the gun, after which I was taken to hospital. I recovered and returned to the base station. The commanders continued teasing me comparing me with a donkey.” I am addressing my message to Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev, asking to carry out check-up at the 707 brigade. The captive said he does not wish to return to Azerbaijan where he is beaten and humiliated. He added that he is treated well in Armenia. Hasanov declared he will never return to Azerbaijan and said he is going to become an Armenian citizen. “I am announcing that I was a citizen of Azerbaijan for 19 years. Now I wish to be a citizen of the Republic of Armenia and will never return to Azerbaijan,” Hasanov Rafik Rahman Oghli said.