Russia: Court Approves Document Retrieval in Investigation of Azerbaijani Plane Crash in Aqtau

A Moscow court has approved the retrieval of documents related to the crash of an Azerbaijani Embraer-190 aircraft in Aqtau on December 25, Orda.kz reports, citing RIA Novosti.

According to court documents obtained by the outlet, the materials will be collected from two undisclosed locations in southern Russia. Russia’s Investigative Committee is leading the investigation. The court decision has officially come into force.

The exact nature of the documents and the addresses involved have not been disclosed.

The Azerbaijan Airlines flight from Baku to Grozny crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Aqtau Airport. Of the 69 people on board, 29 survived. It was Kazakhstan’s sixth major air disaster since independence.

Experts examining the wreckage found numerous puncture marks likely caused by foreign objects.

The Azerbaijani side claims the crash was caused by fragments from Russian Pantsir-C air defense missiles that pierced the fuselage. Azerbaijan is preparing to file a case with an international court,  while Russia is conducting a separate investigation.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny