Armenian vice-FM: Azeri society deems glorification of killers normal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Extradition of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan’s axe-killer Ramil Safarov disclosed a number of circumstances that will urge for coordination in Nagorno Karabakh conflict talks, Deputy Foreign Minister said.

Asked by a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter as to how “Safarov case” may affect the negotiation process, Zohrab Mnatsakanian noted that Armenia holds commitment to peaceful settlement of Karabakh problem.

“This expresses our commitment to peace and regional stability,” he said.

Deputy minister noted with regret that Azerbaijani society deems giving a hero’s welcome to a a murderer natural, voicing confidence that the latter is imposed by the country’s ruling system.

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 September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.