Aram I addresses Hungarian President over Azeri assassin extradition

September 4, 2012 - 15:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a letter to Hungary’s President Janos Ader, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, expressed his deep concern and dismay concerning the extradition of Azeri murderer Lieutenant Ramil Safarov, who was extradited to Azerbaijan and granted pardon by the Azerbaijani leader.

Catholicos Aram I said that this act is a "flagrant violation of the international law and principles of justice" and it has "generated a huge wave of frustration and protest among the Armenians in Armenia and Diaspora".

His Holiness reminded the Hungarian President that "political interests must not undermine the imperative of justice and human dignity" and that "such a behavior does not help to promote good relations and close co-operation among nations and states".

The letter of His Holiness was handed over to the ambassador of Hungary to Lebanon by a delegation of clergy representing the Holy See of Cilicia.

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.

On August 31, 2012, Hungary extradited Safarov back to Azerbaijan, where he was promptly pardoned by President Ilham Aliyev.