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Armenian NGOs urge Hungary against extradition of Azeri assassin Safarov
August 25, 2012 - 16:26 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian NGOs issued a statement on possible
extradition of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan's assassin to
Azerbaijan.
`A horrific event took place during trainings in the framework of
Budapest-hosted `Partnership for Peace NATO program in 2004. Late at
night Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov brutally hacked sleeping
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan with beforehand purchased ax. This
unprecedented crime shocked not only Armenia and Hungary, but also all
Europe.
Safarov's trial lasted more than two years, with Azerbaijani side
trying to discredit the memory of the Armenian officer through
different accusations against him. All the accusations against the
deceased officer were convincingly refuted during the trial. Judge
Andrash Vaskuti and the prosecution had perfectly conducted the whole
process, strictly adhering to the wording and spirit of the Hungarian
and European legislation. Ramil Safarov was sentenced to life
imprisonment with no right to file a petition for a pardon during the
first 30 years. All appeals from the Azerbaijani side were rejected.
Already in custody, Safarov attacked the prison guard, for which he
got second jail term.
Meanwhile, representatives of state and public institutions issued
statements justifying heinous crime. Azerbaijani Ombudsman
Suleymanova, for instance, said that "Safarov should serve an example
for young people." Ramil Safarov was declared national hero of
Azerbaijan.
For the past 8 years, the Hungarian side reaffirmed commitment to
international law, rejecting any possibility of extradition of
criminal to his homeland. However, the Azerbaijani and Turkish parties
continue efforts to extradite Safarov. Thus, the recent report proves
a signatures campaign was held in Turkey, urging the proponents to
reconsider the sentence, implementing unreasonable and unacceptable
historical parallels. Similar messages are also common in the
Azerbaijani media.
We believe it is our duty to address the Hungarian public and
government agencies with an appeal to prevent the extradition of
Safarov to Azerbaijan, where he will be granted freedom, honor and
even greater glorification. We present only one sentence to prove the
point: a year ago head of the department of Political Analysis and
Information Support of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
Elnur Aslanov said that "Ramil Safarov's valor gave Azerbaijani
society and people a second wind."
We have no doubts that Hungary is well aware of the fact that the
hatred for Armenians and xenophobia is pursued at state level in
Azerbaijan. This was recorded in 2011 report of the European
Commission against Racism and Intolerance. Moreover, Azeri leader
called Armenians number one enemy during one of his recent speeches.
Safarov's attorney stated at Budapest trial that "killing an Armenian
is not a crime in Azerbaijan."
Safarov's extradition to Azerbaijan unacceptable given the gravity of
his crime and his country's attitude towards that crime. The relapse
of the crime may have even more serious consequences.
Extradition will mean a call to action to Azerbaijani youth. In this
case, the responsibility for the potential crimes will lie not only on
Azerbaijan, but also on Hungary. It's noteworthy that the extradition
against Azeri frequent violations could spark a renewal of bloody war.
We call upon the relevant institutions of friendly Hungary to consider
the inevitable consequences of such a step. Only in the country of the
crime, in the colony of strict regime Safarov must serve his sentence,
imposed on him by Hungarian court. This requires obligations of
Hungary, as the country, which has proven its commitment to human
rights norms, morality and humanity,' the statement reads.
August 25, 2012 - 16:26 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian NGOs issued a statement on possible
extradition of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan's assassin to
Azerbaijan.
`A horrific event took place during trainings in the framework of
Budapest-hosted `Partnership for Peace NATO program in 2004. Late at
night Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov brutally hacked sleeping
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan with beforehand purchased ax. This
unprecedented crime shocked not only Armenia and Hungary, but also all
Europe.
Safarov's trial lasted more than two years, with Azerbaijani side
trying to discredit the memory of the Armenian officer through
different accusations against him. All the accusations against the
deceased officer were convincingly refuted during the trial. Judge
Andrash Vaskuti and the prosecution had perfectly conducted the whole
process, strictly adhering to the wording and spirit of the Hungarian
and European legislation. Ramil Safarov was sentenced to life
imprisonment with no right to file a petition for a pardon during the
first 30 years. All appeals from the Azerbaijani side were rejected.
Already in custody, Safarov attacked the prison guard, for which he
got second jail term.
Meanwhile, representatives of state and public institutions issued
statements justifying heinous crime. Azerbaijani Ombudsman
Suleymanova, for instance, said that "Safarov should serve an example
for young people." Ramil Safarov was declared national hero of
Azerbaijan.
For the past 8 years, the Hungarian side reaffirmed commitment to
international law, rejecting any possibility of extradition of
criminal to his homeland. However, the Azerbaijani and Turkish parties
continue efforts to extradite Safarov. Thus, the recent report proves
a signatures campaign was held in Turkey, urging the proponents to
reconsider the sentence, implementing unreasonable and unacceptable
historical parallels. Similar messages are also common in the
Azerbaijani media.
We believe it is our duty to address the Hungarian public and
government agencies with an appeal to prevent the extradition of
Safarov to Azerbaijan, where he will be granted freedom, honor and
even greater glorification. We present only one sentence to prove the
point: a year ago head of the department of Political Analysis and
Information Support of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan
Elnur Aslanov said that "Ramil Safarov's valor gave Azerbaijani
society and people a second wind."
We have no doubts that Hungary is well aware of the fact that the
hatred for Armenians and xenophobia is pursued at state level in
Azerbaijan. This was recorded in 2011 report of the European
Commission against Racism and Intolerance. Moreover, Azeri leader
called Armenians number one enemy during one of his recent speeches.
Safarov's attorney stated at Budapest trial that "killing an Armenian
is not a crime in Azerbaijan."
Safarov's extradition to Azerbaijan unacceptable given the gravity of
his crime and his country's attitude towards that crime. The relapse
of the crime may have even more serious consequences.
Extradition will mean a call to action to Azerbaijani youth. In this
case, the responsibility for the potential crimes will lie not only on
Azerbaijan, but also on Hungary. It's noteworthy that the extradition
against Azeri frequent violations could spark a renewal of bloody war.
We call upon the relevant institutions of friendly Hungary to consider
the inevitable consequences of such a step. Only in the country of the
crime, in the colony of strict regime Safarov must serve his sentence,
imposed on him by Hungarian court. This requires obligations of
Hungary, as the country, which has proven its commitment to human
rights norms, morality and humanity,' the statement reads.