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US SENATOR CALLS ON PRESIDENT ALIEV TO APOLOGIZE TO FAMILY OF AZERBAIJANI MURDERER'S ARMENIAN VICTIM
news.am
September 07, 2012 | 20:50
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday released a statement decrying
the release of convicted axe murderer Ramil Safarov and condemning
Azeri President Aliyev's decision to pardon, promote, and glorify
Safarov for his heinous murder of Armenian Gurgen Markarian, reads
the statement, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.
On August 31, Hungary extradited Safarov - who brutally murdered his
colleague, Armenian officer Gurgen Markarian, in his sleep - to Baku
to serve no less than 25 years of the life sentence imposed by the
Hungarian justice system.
"I am aghast at the decision of President Aliyev to pardon Ramil
Safarov for his heinous crime. I am outraged and disgusted by the
reception that Safarov was given upon returning to Azerbaijan -
a hero's welcome, a free apartment and a promotion. This blatant
disregard for justice is unacceptable and I condemn Aliyev's actions
in the strongest way possible. I am also troubled by Hungary's decision
to extradite Safarov and believe that, given the breach of extradition
agreement, Hungary must now demand the return of Safarov to complete
his life-sentence," Menendez commented.
"At this moment, with relations in the Caucasus region as tense as
ever, the highly deplorable actions of President Aliyev undermine
the credibility of his government and his commitment to work toward a
peaceful resolution of differences with Armenia. I call on President
Aliyev to apologize to the family of Gurgen Markarian and for the
international community to demand Safarov's return to Hungary to
complete the remainder of his life sentence. It is clear that the
Azeri government cannot be counted on to adhere to its international
or bilateral obligations with respect to this matter."
news.am
September 07, 2012 | 20:50
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday released a statement decrying
the release of convicted axe murderer Ramil Safarov and condemning
Azeri President Aliyev's decision to pardon, promote, and glorify
Safarov for his heinous murder of Armenian Gurgen Markarian, reads
the statement, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.
On August 31, Hungary extradited Safarov - who brutally murdered his
colleague, Armenian officer Gurgen Markarian, in his sleep - to Baku
to serve no less than 25 years of the life sentence imposed by the
Hungarian justice system.
"I am aghast at the decision of President Aliyev to pardon Ramil
Safarov for his heinous crime. I am outraged and disgusted by the
reception that Safarov was given upon returning to Azerbaijan -
a hero's welcome, a free apartment and a promotion. This blatant
disregard for justice is unacceptable and I condemn Aliyev's actions
in the strongest way possible. I am also troubled by Hungary's decision
to extradite Safarov and believe that, given the breach of extradition
agreement, Hungary must now demand the return of Safarov to complete
his life-sentence," Menendez commented.
"At this moment, with relations in the Caucasus region as tense as
ever, the highly deplorable actions of President Aliyev undermine
the credibility of his government and his commitment to work toward a
peaceful resolution of differences with Armenia. I call on President
Aliyev to apologize to the family of Gurgen Markarian and for the
international community to demand Safarov's return to Hungary to
complete the remainder of his life sentence. It is clear that the
Azeri government cannot be counted on to adhere to its international
or bilateral obligations with respect to this matter."