Yerevan residents expressed polar opinions about the fate of Nasimi Musaev.

The Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musaev, accused of attacking a family in the village of Shaki, must be tried and punished in Armenia, stated some residents of Yerevan. Other survey participants suggested exchanging Musaev for Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 1, Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musaev was detained after an attack on a family in the village of Shaki in the Syunik region of Armenia. According to the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office, Musaev illegally crossed the border, entered a house, and opened fire, injuring local resident Ani Avetisyan, who required medical assistance, as did her children. On October 2, the court arrested Musaev for two months, and a criminal case was initiated against him.

The publication Armenia Today today released a video survey of Yerevan residents regarding the future fate of Nasimi Musaev. Survey participants were asked to assess the possibility of his punishment in Armenia or an exchange for Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, as well as to name those responsible for the armed serviceman's intrusion into the village.

Some respondents opposed transferring Musaev to Azerbaijan. They pointed out that, according to the Armenian investigation, the serviceman crossed the state border and committed a crime on Armenian territory. One survey participant called Musaev a criminal and stated that his actions posed a threat to people's lives.

The publication also released a text version of the survey on its website today. Transferring Azerbaijani serviceman Musaev to Baku is not possible, as his actions endangered people's lives, stated one of the Yerevan residents. "He committed a violation, meaning people's lives were endangered. Therefore, no, there can be no talk of transfer; he is a criminal," he said.

Another survey participant demanded Musaev's punishment in Armenia. "Because when our people cross the border, they punish them themselves," he noted, referring to the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities.

Another Yerevan resident suggested exchanging Musaev for Armenians held in Azerbaijan. "Baku can demand a lot; it all depends on the determination and will of our authorities. Now, let's say, if he is sentenced to 10 years in prison, for us, it is not significant whether he serves his sentence in Armenia or not. It is better for a specific decision to be made to exchange him for one of our captives," he stated.

Another supporter of the exchange suggested first convicting Musaev in Armenia and only after the verdict discussing his transfer to Azerbaijan.

Some respondents left the decision about the serviceman's fate to the state authorities. "How they decide at the top, they already know themselves," said one of the Yerevan residents.

The responsibility for Musaev's border crossing and his intrusion into the village of Shaki lies with the Armenian authorities, stated another respondent. "Definitely – the government, the state, and the Ministry of Defense," he emphasized.

Responsibility should primarily be placed on the leadership of the law enforcement agencies, not on ordinary border guards, pointed out another respondent. "Naturally, it is not about the border guards, but about the leadership – higher-ranking officials," he said.

Living with a family in a border village after such an incident would be frightening, admitted one of the Yerevan residents. "I have a child, and I cannot imagine how I would continue to live there if I lived in a border village," he noted.

The feeling of insecurity is experienced not only by residents of border settlements, emphasized another respondent. "I, too, as a city resident, do not feel safe," he stated.

It should be noted that earlier, the responsibility of the Armenian authorities for the incident involving Musaev was pointed out by political analyst Aram Amatuni. He raised the question of why an armed serviceman was able to reach a residential house, although the Armenian side had previously received information about his disappearance. The investigation should establish the circumstances of Musaev's intrusion into the country and check the work of the border service, communications, and the operational response system, Amatuni told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

A demand for Musaev's punishment in Armenia was made by human rights activist Artak Beglaryan. In the case of exchanging the serviceman for prisoners held by Azerbaijan, the Armenian authorities must strive to return all compatriots, he stated to a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot". In his opinion, transferring Musaev without fulfilling this condition would be a concession to Baku.

The necessity of a full investigation into the incident was emphasized by public figure Susan Petrosyan. She pointed out that the intrusion of armed individuals into border villages causes concern among residents even in the absence of regular shelling. Security implies the ability to live in one's own home without fear for oneself and one's children, she told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

The possibility of exchanging Musaev was also suggested by lawyer Samad Ragimli. The Azerbaijani serviceman may have left his unit without permission after a conflict with his comrades, he suggested. Yerevan may prefer an exchange to further escalation of relations with Baku, Ragimli told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".