“Heritage” Deputy Chairman supports Armenian President’s tough stand

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: “Heritage” Party Deputy Chairman Armen Martirosyan supports the tough stand of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan concerning Ramil Safarov’s extradition. According to Armenpress, on September 7 at the briefing with journalists the “Heritage” representative spoke on the Azerbaijani assassin Ramil Safarov’s extradition by Hungary and its possible developments. “It is already clear that Azerbaijan will never give up his target to end up with Armenians. The recognition of Karabakh independence is the way, which will enable Armenia keep protecting its national interests”, - he said.

Concerning the local developments Armen Martirosyan said that the coming presidential elections are quite important in this context. «Though in September we will have the elections of the local self-governing bodies, we understand quite well that the presidential elections are more important», - he said. Martirosyan thinks that Raffi Hovhannisyan will take part in the presidential elections, but he is not certain if Raffi Hovhannisyan participates as an opposition united candidate or not. «It is possible that there will be other candidates, but I do not think that it makes considerable impact on «Heritage», - said Armen Martirosyan. Presidential elections in Armenia will take place in February 2013.

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. The international community comes with announcements condemning Azerbaijan’s action, which contradicts the international legal norms. Hungary blamed Azerbaijan of breaking its promise.