  U.S. Senator Kerry ‘shocked and appalled’ by Azeri assassin release September 6, 2012 - 10:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) condemned President Ilham Aliyev's release of Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army lieutenant who was convicted of brutally axing to death Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan in his sleep, during a 2004 NATO English-language training course, reported the Armenian National Committee of America. “I am shocked and appalled that Azerbaijan not only welcomed Safarov home, but pardoned, promoted, and treated him as a hero,” noted Chairman Kerry, in a statement. “This needlessly provocative act endangers the fragile peace between these countries and damages the government of Azerbaijan’s credibility.” ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director, and Watertown, MA resident, Michelle Hagopian welcomed Chairman Kerry’s statement, noting “We join with Armenian Americans from throughout the Commonwealth in welcoming Senator Kerry's condemnation of Azerbaijan's pardon of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov. We thank the Senator for his principled stand against this injustice, and urge him and his legislative colleagues, in the interest of peace, to act now to cut off all U.S. military aid, sales, or transfers to Azerbaijan.” Sen. Kerry echoes statements issued by a number of U.S. Representative this week decrying Azerbaijan’s release and subsequent glorification of Safarov.   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. Partner news  Top stories 200 ceasefire violations by the Azeri armed forces were reported at the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. “There was a great deal of new and interesting research presented during the conference,” said ANC of Illinois activist Greg Bedian. The Turkish government aggressively pushed for Turkey's inclusion in Investment Partnership between the U.S. and EU. Possible ways to advance the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict were in the focus of the discussion.   Partner news |  Latest news "The Fades" actor to star in Ryan Gosling's "How to Catch a Monster"  Centered around a landscape of a disappearing city, the film follows a single mother who finds herself in a gloomy fantasy underworld.Israel calling off UNESCO mission to Jerusalem "Israel has cancelled the delegation," which was due to have arrived the same day, a foreign ministry official said.1st look at Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela in "Long Walk to Freedom" The Golden Globe-winning Luther actor has been paired up with Bond girl Naomie Harris, who will play Winnie Mandela.Pistorius not to compete in 2013 as he awaits trial Pistorius was granted bail and had certain conditions lifted which meant he could compete in events outside his homeland. |
