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SAFAROV CASE WAS IRONY AGAINST JUSTICE: WASHINGTON ARMENIANS AGAIN LAUNCHED RALLY
ARMENPRESS
11 September, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: 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. As ANCA told Armenpress the message runs:"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 September 9th 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
August 31st, 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."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.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.
ARMENPRESS
11 September, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: 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. As ANCA told Armenpress the message runs:"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 September 9th 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
August 31st, 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."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.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.