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PROTEST AT HUNGARIAN EMBASSY IN DC
asbarez
Monday, September 10th, 2012
A scene from the Washington protest at the Hungarian Embassy
WASHINGTON-Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater Washington
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.
"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. Take action now!
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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
asbarez
Monday, September 10th, 2012
A scene from the Washington protest at the Hungarian Embassy
WASHINGTON-Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater Washington
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.
"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. Take action now!
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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress