Azerbaijani Soldier's Suspicious Death Prompts Action By Activists

BAKU -- Activists in Azerbaijan are calling for a mass gathering on Baku's Fountains Square on January 12 to raise awareness about the deaths of young conscripts in the Azerbaijani army.

The activists put out the call on the Facebook social network on January 10.

They have also been collecting signatures for an online petition addressed to President Ilham Aliyev, urging him to address the situation faced by army conscripts.

The action was prompted by the suspicious death of Private Ceyhun Qubadov this week.

Army officials initially said that Qubadov unexpectedly died of a heart attack.

His relatives challenged that statement and revealed photos of Qubadov's body that appeared to show evidence of violence.

Authorities launched an investigation after the photos were made public.