U.S. Congressmen slam killing of Armenian soldier by Azeri forces

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Congressmen issued statements on the killing of an Armenian soldier, Hrant Poghosyan, by Azerbaijani troops earlier this month.

“We have learned of the murder of yet another Armenian soldier along the line of contact in an unprovoked attack by Azerbaijani troops against Armenian forces. Azerbaijan and its military must be held to account and there can be no denying that this savagery is being orchestrated at the highest levels of the Azeri security establishment,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said.

"One need only look at the sick display of adulation that greeted Ramil Safarov - the Azerbaijani military officer who beheaded an Armenian colleague during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise - to see how the Azeri government has glorified this violence. Rather than prison, Safarov was paraded through the streets and given a new house and a promotion. Baku’s newest murderer will not be brought to justice until the international community insists on an end to these atrocities,” he added.

Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) said: “Azerbaijan has yet again shown that it is not serious about establishing peaceful relations with Armenia and Artsakh. Despite the request for a ceasefire during the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azeri forces have killed an Armenian solider, Hrant Poghosyan. The shooting was unprovoked and Armenian forces have respected the request for a ceasefire.

“Azerbaijan’s actions continue to harm the cause of peace. Last year, Azerbaijan celebrated a murderer, Ramil Safarov, who violently killed an Armenian soldier during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise. Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for this latest display of violence towards Armenia and lack of respect for the OSCE’s settlement negotiations. I will continue to stand by Artsakh and Armenia in their ongoing quest for peace and security.”