Azerbaijan: Moscow criticizes Baku for releasing killer of Armenian
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 September 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijan: Moscow criticizes Baku for releasing killer of Armenian, 3 September 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/504719afc.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 03, 2012
Former Azerbaijani army officer Ramil Safarov
Russia's Foreign Ministry has criticized Azerbaijan and Hungary over the release of an Azerbaijani army officer who had been sentenced to life in prison for killing an Armenian military officer.
A statement published on the ministry's website on September 3 says the release of Ramil Safarov contravenes international efforts aimed at easing Armenian-Azerbaijani tensions.
Safarov was sentenced in 2006 by the Budapest City Court after he confessed to murdering Armenian officer Gurgen Markarian while both were in Hungary for a 2004 language course organized by NATO.
On August 31, Hungary returned Safarov to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from Baku that his sentence would be enforced.
But Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev pardoned Safarov upon on his arrival in Baku. Armenia has formally protested Safarov's release and has suspended diplomatic ties with Hungary.
Based on reporting by mid.ru and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
