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.