Protest action against extradition of Ramil Safarov held in Budapest

On September 4, Budapest hosted an action "We're sorry, Armenia!" where people protested against Hungary's decision to give Ramil Safarov out to Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in April 2006 the City Court of Budapest sentenced Ramil Safarov to life imprisonment for the murder on February 19, 2004, in Budapest of the Armenia Officer Gurgen Margaryan. On August 31, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan, where President Ilham Aliev signed his pardoning. Armenia then decided to suspend its diplomatic relations with Hungary.

The protest action in Budapest was attended by over 2000 persons; they held posters: "The honour of Hungarians is not for sale", "Excuse us for our Premier", "My name is Viktor Orban (Prime Minister of Hungary, - note of the "Caucasian Knot"), I'm ready to sell father and mother", "Hungarians say 'No!'!", the "Armenia-Today" reports.

The action was of civil character; it was organized through a group in the Facebook "One Million for the Freedom of Press in Hungary". Local Liberals were the main organizers; and members of the local Armenian community also took part in the protest action, the portal "News Armenia" reports.

Let us remind you that the EU and Russia have treated negatively the fact of pardoning of Ramil Safarov by Azerbaijani authorities. The EU calls on the authorities of Azerbaijan and Armenia not to admit any tension escalation in mutual relations. Today, the head of the PACE Jean-Claude Mignon has called Azerbaijan to revise the decision to pardon Safarov.

The official Baku believes that they acted in accordance with the law and based on the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.