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WASHINGTON DC ARMENIAN COMMUNITY PROTESTS SAFAROV RELEASE
Armenian Weekly
September 10, 2012
WASHINGTON-Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater Washington
DC area called Hungary's release and Azerbaijan's pardon and
glorification of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov a travesty
of justice and pressed for the killer's immediate re-incarceration,
at a demonstration held in front of the Hungarian Embassy.
A scene from the demonstration "Hungary's extradition of an
unrepentant axe-murderer to Azerbaijan, where his actions were
hailed as heroic from the moment he committed the crime, is simply
unconscionable and must be reversed," said AYF Ani Chapter Chairwoman
Tevin Poladian. "President Aliyev's unapologetic pardon and rewarding
of Safarov sends a clear message to the rest of his troops-'kill a
defenseless Armenian and you can be promoted in rank and get a new
apartment,'-certainly not the actions of a leader committed to peace."
The Sept. 9 protest, organized by the local ARF Sebouh Gomideh
and AYF Ani chapter, was the second in two weeks to be held in the
nation's capital. The first was an impromptu action held on Aug. 31,
just hours after media reports of Hungary's extradition of Safarov, an
Azerbaijani army officer serving a life-sentence for brutally hacking
to death Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during
a NATO sponsored English language training program in Hungary in 2004.
Armenian communities worldwide have protested Hungary's release and
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's immediate, pardon, promotion
and compensation of Safarov, who has been glorified by Azerbaijani
government and media alike.
During remarks offered at the protest, ARF Sebouh Gomideh member
Hovsep Avakian noted that Safarov's release is simply the most
recently example of the Azerbaijani Government's efforts to undermine
the internationally mediated Nagorno Karabakh peace talks, citing
the Aliyev regime's constant cease-fire violations against Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh and repeated calls for war. "How can President
Aliyev be considered a reliable partner for peace, when his actions
are geared to incite violence, hatred and war?"
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram
Hamparian cited the international outrage at Hungary and Azerbaijan's
actions, including statements by the White House and State Department
issued within hours of Safarov's release. "Statements are an
important first step," said Hamparian, "but what is needed now is
action - including a ban on all U.S. military assistance and sales
to Azerbaijan."
'A travesty of justice' The ANCA has encouraged Armenian
Americans and people of good conscience to reach out to their
U.S. Senators and Representatives, asking that they support a range
of pro-Armenian foreign aid priorities, including cutting off all
military assistance to Azerbaijan, humanitarian and relocation
assistance for the vulnerable Armenian population in Syria,
assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. To take action, visit:
http://www.anca.org/action_alerts/action_disp.php?aaid=61821676
At the end of the protest, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Rev.
Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian and St. Mary Armenian Church pastor, Rev. Fr.
Hovsep Karapetyan, led protesters in prayers and a requiem ceremony
in memory of slain Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan
A community-wide protest in front of the Hungarian United Nations
Mission in New York is planned for Monday evening, Sept. 10 at
6:30 p.m.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenian Weekly
September 10, 2012
WASHINGTON-Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater Washington
DC area called Hungary's release and Azerbaijan's pardon and
glorification of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov a travesty
of justice and pressed for the killer's immediate re-incarceration,
at a demonstration held in front of the Hungarian Embassy.
A scene from the demonstration "Hungary's extradition of an
unrepentant axe-murderer to Azerbaijan, where his actions were
hailed as heroic from the moment he committed the crime, is simply
unconscionable and must be reversed," said AYF Ani Chapter Chairwoman
Tevin Poladian. "President Aliyev's unapologetic pardon and rewarding
of Safarov sends a clear message to the rest of his troops-'kill a
defenseless Armenian and you can be promoted in rank and get a new
apartment,'-certainly not the actions of a leader committed to peace."
The Sept. 9 protest, organized by the local ARF Sebouh Gomideh
and AYF Ani chapter, was the second in two weeks to be held in the
nation's capital. The first was an impromptu action held on Aug. 31,
just hours after media reports of Hungary's extradition of Safarov, an
Azerbaijani army officer serving a life-sentence for brutally hacking
to death Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during
a NATO sponsored English language training program in Hungary in 2004.
Armenian communities worldwide have protested Hungary's release and
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's immediate, pardon, promotion
and compensation of Safarov, who has been glorified by Azerbaijani
government and media alike.
During remarks offered at the protest, ARF Sebouh Gomideh member
Hovsep Avakian noted that Safarov's release is simply the most
recently example of the Azerbaijani Government's efforts to undermine
the internationally mediated Nagorno Karabakh peace talks, citing
the Aliyev regime's constant cease-fire violations against Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh and repeated calls for war. "How can President
Aliyev be considered a reliable partner for peace, when his actions
are geared to incite violence, hatred and war?"
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram
Hamparian cited the international outrage at Hungary and Azerbaijan's
actions, including statements by the White House and State Department
issued within hours of Safarov's release. "Statements are an
important first step," said Hamparian, "but what is needed now is
action - including a ban on all U.S. military assistance and sales
to Azerbaijan."
'A travesty of justice' The ANCA has encouraged Armenian
Americans and people of good conscience to reach out to their
U.S. Senators and Representatives, asking that they support a range
of pro-Armenian foreign aid priorities, including cutting off all
military assistance to Azerbaijan, humanitarian and relocation
assistance for the vulnerable Armenian population in Syria,
assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. To take action, visit:
http://www.anca.org/action_alerts/action_disp.php?aaid=61821676
At the end of the protest, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Rev.
Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian and St. Mary Armenian Church pastor, Rev. Fr.
Hovsep Karapetyan, led protesters in prayers and a requiem ceremony
in memory of slain Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan
A community-wide protest in front of the Hungarian United Nations
Mission in New York is planned for Monday evening, Sept. 10 at
6:30 p.m.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress