Hungary’s MP apologizes to Armenia and Armenian nation from PACE tribune

At the discussion of the issue of Azeri felon Ramil Safarov at Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Hungary’s representative Bilmos Shabo appeared with a speech, which announced that the decision made by the government to extradite Safarov is being rudely criticized in his country, Panorama reporter informs from Strasburg.
“Even at that time it was clear that Safarov’s crime in Budapest isn’t only a serious misdemeanor, but also a crime based on ethnic intolerance. Hungary’s government made a decision to discuss the case by trilateral format cooperating with representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia. These discussions lead to compromise, which was adopted by everyone: the criminal was to be punished in Hunagry and serve his sentence there. He was sentenced to life in prison, but now Hungary’s government returned to this issue and Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan, where he was declared a nation’s hero. The issue of extradition has been decided by the two countries and no consultations were held with the Armenian side,” Bilmos Shabo announced and added, that Hungary’s side didn’t provide enough guarantees during negotiations with Azerbaijan, that Safarov will continue his service in his hometown.
“Maybe such a pardon corresponds to letter of international law, but not to its soul,” the Hungarian said.
“Hungary’s social-democrats don’t agree on government’s decision, as well as with further release of the criminal. We assess this as a wrong and irresponsible step. We are for the continuation of neighborly relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and we ask the Armenian nation and Armenia’s government to forgive our country for all this,” the envoy said.
Note, in 2004 Azeri murderer Safarov axed Armenia’s officer Gurgen Margaryan  in Budapest, when they were participating in English language courses within the framework of NATO’s “cooperation for peace” program. The murderer was sentenced to life in prison by Hungary’s court. In 2012 Hungary extradited him to Azerbaijan, where the country’s president granted him pardon an released.
In connection with Safarov’s extradition RA President Serzh Sargsyan announced that Armenia suspends diplomatic ties with Hungary.
Safarov’s extradition and release has been condemned by the US President Barak Obama, State Department, MFA’s of Russia and France, EC, EU, NATO, CSTO and many other law enforcement agencies. On September 13 EC adopted a formula on Safarov’s case.

Panorama.am