Hungary denies “financial motifs” in Safarov extradition

PanARMENIAN.Net - A month ago, a group of Armenian students of the Central European University in Budapest issued a letter to Prime Minister of Hungary Victor Orban referring to extradition of Azeri criminal Ramil Safarov who axe-killed an Armenian officer.

The reply letter denies any “financial motifs” in Hungary’s extradition of the axe-killer. The students thought it necessary to specifically note the phrase as no financial issue was mentioned in their message.

Hungary’s State Secretary for Foreign Relations and Financial Affairs , who was instructed to answer the letter, is currently on a visit to Baku to discuss the prospects of the development of Azeri-Hungarian economic ties.

Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan, was extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary.

Hungary, however, states that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that Safarov's sentence, which included the possibility of parole after 25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian prime minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a news conference on Tuesday September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.