"We are forced migrants from Lachin", says Gulmali Rahimov and adds:
"Children brought up here have never seen those lands. But all of them dream of coming back to the homeland. Shahmali also wanted to come to Lachin. It was his dream to become a military man; he did not want to move to the city, he just wanted to come and see Lachin. Each and every inch of our country is dear to us, but the place you and your fathers come from is the dearest of all. Children would listen to what adults told them, and they were interested in places we described.
G. Rahimov says Shahmali liked helping people just out of the kindness of his heart.
"He would be helping each and everyone, without distinguishing between adults and children; he would help anyone in need. That was his nature. That was the reason why people were so shocked by his death. I was one of his schoolteachers. I was very happy with him as a relative, he was a polite and well-mannered boy. I was also content as a teacher; sure, as a kid, he was fooling around sometimes, but he always attended lessons, and was on the overall a diligent and good student. He would never bully anyone, and kept clear of conflicts and fights. We systematically carried out a poll in the school, and he always said he wanted to pursue a military career. He probably saw our heroes on TV; maybe, his decision was influenced by the fact that the land of his fathers had long been under occupation.