Public figure: Azerbaijan willing to blackmail Hungary over Safarov’s case

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan seeks to achieve release of Armenian officer’s assassin Ramil Safarov through offering financial support to Hungary, RA first human rights defender said.

“Negative political developments have recently been recorded in Hungary, such as shift from democracy into authoritarianism and disastrous economic situation,” Larisa Alaverdyan said, deeming Safarov’s extradition from Hungary possible.

In this context, Ms. Alaverdyan cited several media publications expressing Azerbaijan’s readiness to redeem Hungary’s state bonds at the amount of $2-3 bln.

“It’s noteworthy that Azerbaijan’s corrupt activities were mentioned in reports by international and European institutions. Such procedures can’t be termed as mere coincidence,” she said, adding that Hungary’s political elite entered into disgraceful relations with Azerbaijan through Turkey’s mediation.

Lieutenant of the Armenian Armed Forces Gurgen Margaryan, 26, was hacked to death, while asleep, by a fellow Azerbaijani participant, lieutenant Ramil Safarov, in Budapest during a three-month English language course in the framework of NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace program.

On April 13, 2006, Budapest District Court sentenced Safarov to life in prison for murdering Margaryan. On February 22, 2007, Budapest Court rejected the Azerbaijani military officer's appeal against the verdict, precluding possibility of pardon for the initial 30 years.

By a decree of then-President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, officer Margaryan was awarded with a posthumous Medal for Courage on February 19, 2005.