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Australia disappointed about Safarov extradition
16:53, 28 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS:The Australian Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has added its voice in the international
condemnation and criticism of Azerbaijan's pardon of convicted
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, reports Armenpress citing Armenian
National Committee of Australia. In late August 2012, Hungarian
authorities extradited Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving
''assurances'' from Baku that he would serve the remainder of his
sentence in Azerbaijan. However, upon his return to Baku, Azerbaijan's
president Ilham Aliyev pardoned Safarov, and he is now being hailed as
a national hero. In a letter received by the Armenian National
Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) in response to a formal request
for comment by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, his department DFAT stated:
"The Australian Government is disappointed by the decision of
President Aliyev to pardon Safarov." DFAT noted that this issue
occurred against the backdrop of the Narogno-Karabakh conflict and
that ''Azerbaijan's actions have the potential to undermine the
ongoing mediation process under the OSCE Minsk Group.'' ANC Australia
Executive Director Vache Kahramanian welcomed the Australian
government's statement. He said: "We welcome the Australian
government's response to this important issue. Today Azerbaijan is a
country that continues to act as an aggressor towards Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. It is therefore important for the international
community to raise its voice and condemn such actions."
16:53, 28 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS:The Australian Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has added its voice in the international
condemnation and criticism of Azerbaijan's pardon of convicted
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, reports Armenpress citing Armenian
National Committee of Australia. In late August 2012, Hungarian
authorities extradited Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving
''assurances'' from Baku that he would serve the remainder of his
sentence in Azerbaijan. However, upon his return to Baku, Azerbaijan's
president Ilham Aliyev pardoned Safarov, and he is now being hailed as
a national hero. In a letter received by the Armenian National
Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) in response to a formal request
for comment by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, his department DFAT stated:
"The Australian Government is disappointed by the decision of
President Aliyev to pardon Safarov." DFAT noted that this issue
occurred against the backdrop of the Narogno-Karabakh conflict and
that ''Azerbaijan's actions have the potential to undermine the
ongoing mediation process under the OSCE Minsk Group.'' ANC Australia
Executive Director Vache Kahramanian welcomed the Australian
government's statement. He said: "We welcome the Australian
government's response to this important issue. Today Azerbaijan is a
country that continues to act as an aggressor towards Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. It is therefore important for the international
community to raise its voice and condemn such actions."