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  • The Axe Effect: Thousands Protest In Front Of Hungarian Parliament (

    THE AXE EFFECT: THOUSANDS PROTEST IN FRONT OF HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT (UPDATE)
    by Khatchig Mouradian

    http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/09/04/the-axe-effect/
    September 4, 2012

    Dozens of Demonstrations Planned Worldwide

    BUDAPEST, Hungary (A.W.)-Thousands of Hungarians gathered in front
    of the parliament building in Budapest on Sept. 4 to express outrage
    at their government's decision to extradite axe-murderer Safarov
    to his home country Azerbaijan, where he received a hero's welcome,
    was pardoned, and promoted.

    'The honor of Hungarians is not for sale,' read one banner. Another,
    in Hungarian, read, 'This is not our shame!' In 2004, Safarov murdered
    Gurgen Margaryan, an Armenian lieutenant, with an axe, while the
    latter was asleep. He was sentenced to life in prison.

    "The honor of Hungarians is not for sale," read one banner. Another, in
    Hungarian, read, "This is not our shame!" A third read, "We are sorry,
    Armenia!" and was also one of the main chants at the demonstration.

    "Murderers should not be extradited to countries where it is clear
    that ethnic hate crimes are considered heroism," protester Laszlo
    Muhari told Reuters. "In a democratic country this is not acceptable."

    Muhari added, "[Prime Minister Viktor] Orban should stop lying and
    start giving clear answers, because it is simply impossible that such
    a brutal killer is just released without a background deal."

    'Stupid, unethical, uncivilized, and illegal'

    Thousands of Hungarians continued to join Facebook groups apologizing
    for their government's action. One such group, called "Sorry, Armenia,"
    had more than 11,300 followers as of Sept. 4.

    In comments provided to Armenian Weekly Editor Khatchig Mouradian,
    Krulf, the founder of the group, said, "We have nothing to
    do with either Armenian or Azeri affairs. This is about the
    Hungarian government's stupid, unethical, un-European, uncivilized,
    internationally illegal, deplorable action, for which we, as some
    of the thinking and civilized citizens of this country, wish to
    apologize."

    "As human beings, we wish to express that this was not done with
    our agreement, on our behalf, or in our name. We distance ourselves
    from this government," said Krulf, who uses a cyber-name fearing
    government reprisal.

    A scene from the demonstration in Budapest.

    "It is our internal problem which, however, touches on other nations
    and international affairs and concerns, by all accounts, not only
    the people of Armenia, but people in many countries. It has caused
    a huge international uproar and consternation by many, including
    the president of the United States. So we will apologize, we are
    apologizing," he concluded.

    For more details on the reaction of thousands of Hungarians outraged
    by their government's action, read our report here.

    Demonstrations worldwide

    Meanwhile, Armenians and others condemning the extradition took part
    in demonstrations and gatherings across the world.

    In Calcutta, India, members of the Armenian community gathered in
    front of the Hungarian consulate on Sept. 3 carrying signs that read,
    "Shame on you, Hungary" and demanding an apology from the Hungarian
    government.

    A group photo of the Armenians gathered in front of the consulate in
    Calcutta on Sept. 3.

    On the same day, similar protests were held in front of the Hungarian
    Embassies in Oslo and London.

    On Sept. 4, the ARF "Armenia Youth Organization" and Homenetmen held
    a demonstration in front of the Azerbaijani embassy in Buenos Aires,
    Argentina. On Sept. 6, another demonstration will be held in Buenos
    Aires, this time in front of the Hungarian embassy.

    Dozens of other demonstrations are scheduled worldwide for later
    this week. On Sept. 5, a demonstration will be held in front of the
    Hungarian Embassy in Cyprus. On Sept. 6, a large demonstration will
    take place in front of the Azerbaijani and Hungarian consulates in
    Los Angeles.

    The author would like to thank Zsuzsanna Guba for her help with
    translation from Hungarian. A follow-up to this story will be published
    later this week. Please send your letters, comments, and relevant
    links to the author at [email protected] or contact him on
    Twitter by clicking here.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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