Azerbaijani Conscript Dies During Army Maneuvers

BAKU -- Azerbaijani officials say an army conscript has died during military maneuvers in the country’s mountainous northwestern, becoming the third recruit to die in a week.

Defense Ministry officials told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service that Elman Aliyev died early on March 6.

No more details were given.

Investigations are under way.

One of the recent conscript deaths was a suicide and another was killed by a field mine.

Prompted by the death of conscript Ceyhun Qubadov, Azerbaijani activists in January launched a campaign to raise awareness about the deaths of conscripts in the army.

Army officials initially said Qubadov died of a heart attack, but Qubadov's relatives published photos of his body that appeared to show evidence of violence.

Authorities have subsequently launched an investigation.