2 minute read
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS: In Armenia a journalist asked the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Anders Fogh Rasmussen how the latter would shake hands with a president, who signed amnesty for a villain, who murdered an Armenian officer. In the framework of his regional visit Rasmussen will visit Baku on September 7. «When I meet the Azerbaijani President I will pass him quite a clear message. I am deeply concerned about the Azerbaijan's decision to grant pardon to the military officer Safarov. This dreadful and tragic incident, which took place 8 years ago, was a crime and should not be praised but punished», - said the NATO Secretary General, as reported by Armenpress.
According to him, there should not be return to the conflict in the region. “On the contrary, it is necessary to decrease the tension, spread peace and cooperation and reconciliation. I will clearly convey this message”, - said Rasmussen.
Azerbaijani assassin Ramil Safarov, who axe-murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan while sleeping, when they were participating in NATO English Language Courses in Budapest, was sentenced to life imprisonment without right to be pardoned for 30 years. Armenia held up the diplomatic relations with Hungary, after Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan on August 31 2012 and was pardoned by the President Aliyev.