YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS: The Azerbaijani pardon, promotion and compensation of convicted Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, and its harmful effects on the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, continue to be a source of considerable concern for members of the U.S. Congress, with new statements condemning the actions being released on nearly a daily basis.

Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) told Armenpress, Congressional Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor Robert Dold (R-IL) today called the Hungarian government’s extradition and President Aliyev’s glorification of Safarov “deeply disturbing,” noting that “rather than work to reduce tensions, this act shows a blatant disregard for the reconciliation and peace process.Those remarks come on the heels of a weekend statement by Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) who called Aliyev’s actions “without justification” and argued that, “Azerbaijan has acted to undermine justice and further strain its relationship with Armenia to the detriment of all, and to the benefit of no one but a self confessed murderer.Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who has been an outspoken critic of Azerbaijan’s threats of war and attacks against neighboring Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, said he was “aghast” at the extradition and pardon of Safarov and “outraged and disgusted by the reception that Safarov was given upon returning to Azerbaijan.” Senator Menendez called on the Hungarian government to “demand Safarov’s return to Hungary to complete the remainder of his life sentence. It is clear that the Azeri government cannot be counted on to adhere to its international or bilateral obligations with respect to this matter. All three U.S. Congressmen from California's Central Valley - Representatives Jim Costa , Jeff Denham and Devin Nunes have also condemned Azerbaijan’s actions. In statement sent to local constituents, with portions quoted in The Fresno Bee, Rep. Costa was explicit in his denunciation of the Azerbaijani government action. “This injustice of international law committed by the government of Azerbaijan is an outrage, plain and simple. This illegal pardon glorifies a heinous crime committed against an innocent Armenian soldier and does a severe disservice to the peace process in the region. I believe Hungary was complicit in this action. In a joint statement issued by Representatives Denham and Nunes, the Congressmen noted that “Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s decision to pardon Ramil Safarov, who was convicted of killing Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan in 2004, undermines respect for the rule of law, and sets back efforts for a fair and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The action is highly disappointing and will undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh issue.Members of Congress who have condemned Azerbaijan’s release of Safarov to date include, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry , Sen. Menendez, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone , House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman , House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Democrat Henry Waxman , and Representatives Jim Costa, Jeff Denham, Robert Dold, Anna Eshoo , David Cicilline , Devin Nunes , John Sarbanes, Adam Schiff  and Brad Sherman .