[2] In late January – February, 1992, Musayev serving as Deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, virtually assumed responsibilities of then the Minister of Defense, Tajeddin Mehdiyev who was in Nagorno-Karabakh most of the time, personally leading an unsuccessful Dashalty operation in the vicinity of Shusha and losing several villages of strategic importance, Karkijahan, Gushchular, Malibeyli and Garadaghly, within a few weeks.

[3] Colonel Musayev was Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces from September 1991 (officially from January 22).

On May 7, 1992, he called commandant of Shusha, Elbrus Orujov and told him to clear the land mines in all entrances to Shusha and pull all the ammunition and military equipment back from the first positions allegedly because of visiting members of Red Cross and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

This was perceived as an act of treason in favor of Armenians and Musayev was apprehended by the locals but was released at Minister Rahim Gaziyev's insistence.

[6] Shahin Musayev was one of the masterminds of the so-called General's Plot to overthrow the government of President Heydar Aliyev.