Safarov release gives Armenia advantage in Karabakh talks - expert

Safarov release gives Armenia advantage in Karabakh talks - expert
September 1, 2012 - 16:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The release of assassin Ramil Safarov provided the Armenian side with a strong instrument in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement talks, a political analyst said.

“Safarov’s release damaged Azerbaijan’s international image and produced a result contrary to what Azerbaijan hoped to get,” Caucasus Institute director Alexander Iskandaryan told a news conference in Yerevan.

“Setting free a criminal, who was convicted for an appalling murder, and declaring him a hero conflicts with all legal norms,” he said. “The Azerbaijani leadership justified a murderer and thus took the responsibility for the crime.”

Gurgen Margaryan

On February 19, 2004, 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 Partnership for Peace NATO-sponsored program. In accordance with Budapest District Court sentence dated April 13, 2006, Ramil Safarov was life imprisoned for murdering the Armenian officer.

On February 22, 2007, Budapest Court rejected the Azerbaijani military officer's appeal against a life sentence. The appeal court ruled that the decision brought by Budapest District Court against 30-year-old Lieutenant Ramil Safarov, should stand.

Partner news
 Top stories
Parliament to hold closed-door discussion on gas price hikeParliament to hold closed-door discussion on gas price hike
Members of all parliamentary groups, PM, Energy Minister and the chair of the Public Services Regulatory Commission were invited to participate.
ARFD rep. says Armenia faces tough timesARFD rep. says Armenia faces tough times
Vahan Hovhannisyan voiced hope that the ruling authorities acknowledge the difficulties Armenia currently faces.
Heritage offer for amendment to Electoral Code rejectedHeritage offer for amendment to Electoral Code rejected
Prior to the vote, RPA parliamentary group leader Galust Sahakyan announced the party’s decision to vote against the bill.
Deputy FM slams Azeri attempts to distort reality behind Karabakh conflictDeputy FM slams Azeri attempts to distort reality behind Karabakh conflict
Shavarsh Kocharyan: Baku’s statements on unacceptability of a status quo in Karabakh conflict aim to prevent alteration of the status.
Partner news
 Articles
Implications of Electoral Code amendments ahead of vote

The idea of involving the Armenian Diaspora in elections is not new; it was first voiced following the adoption of the Law on Dual Citizenship.

 Most popular in the section
ANC party declares 3 main principles ahead of City Council polls
Armenian President expects quality indicators from new govt.
Prince Charles to travel to Armenia May 28?
53,53% voter turnout reported in Yerevan City Council election
Home
All news
Overview: Politics
Archive for September 1, 2012
Other news in this section
 Topic
 Latest news
Europa League winners to get Champions League place UEFA is set to award a place in the Champions League to the winners of the Europa League from the 2014-15 season.
World Bank approves $30 million for Armenia’s irrigation system The total financing of the project is US$37.5 million, of which US$7.5 million is contributed by the government of Armenia.
Armenian citizens protest against gas price rise Most of the demonstrators consider the ongoing meeting in the National Assembly as illegitimate due to the absence of the consumers.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs meet Azeri President President of Azerbaijan met with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.