Russian expert: Azerbaijan, Hungary equally responsible for Safarov case

September 17, 2012 - 15:25 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - European Parliament’s resolution on Azerbaijan is an important step towards reinforcing justice, Russian expert said.

Stanislav Ivanov expressed surprise over some MPs and countries, who voted against the motion and thus approved Azerbaijan’s “hero welcome” of a criminal sentenced for murder of a sleeping person.

“Hungary is a major European country with relevant intelligence and analytical services, deeply acknowledging Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s true personality,” Mr. Ivanov said in interview with Analitika.at.ua, describing Hungarian authorities’ stance as incomprehensible.

He further believed Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement impossible in the face of Azerbaijan’s arms race, accelerated militarization through support of Turkey, Israel and the U.S.

“Despite the positive nature of resolution on Ramil Safarov case, the European Parliament remains a discussion platform unable to avert a new burst of violence in the region. Both Hungary and European Parliament are equally responsible for Baku’s provocative steps,” the expert said.

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.