17:19 - 22.06.2018

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June 22, Fineko/abc.az. The Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan distributed joint information in connection with the poisoning of cotton growers in a number of districts of the country.

The joint report says that lately cotton production-engaged companies, local agronomists and other responsible persons did not follow the relevant safety rules and attracted cotton growers to work on cotton fields without observing the validity of chemicals that were used in areas and adjacent areas.

As a result, a group of people on cotton fields in different districts were hospitalized with diagnosis of poisoning.

In accord with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Cmmission of the senior and responsible officials of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministries of Agriculture, of Health, of Environment & Natural Resources, and the Food Safety Agency was sent to the relevant districts to determine the causes of poisoning.

Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliev and officials of the Health Ministry undertook the control over treatment of persons hospitalized with diagnosis of poisoning in the Imishli and Evlakh districts.

The GPO Grave Crime Investigation Department initiated a criminal case on Articles 249.2 (violation of the rules established to combat diseases and pests of plants, which caused serious consequences by negligence) and 314.2 (negligence, which resulted in the death of the victim or other serious consequences) of the Criminal Code. Five people have been arrested in connection with the fact of poisoning.

Currently, preventive measures are being taken to prevent such cases and necessary investigative measures are underway.