Having faced harsh worldwide criticism for pardon and release of Azeri criminal Ramil Safarov convicted for axe-murdering an Armenian officer in Budapest, the official Baku attempts to justify itself in the eyes of international community.

According to the chief of social-political department of Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov, Azerbaijan hasn’t officially announced Safarov a hero or extolled his crime. As he noted, “Baku has merely released its soldier who’s served 8,5 years in prison and proved that he poses no social or international threat.”

Turns out, “the high interest of Azeri society to Safarov case prompted him to be declared a hero, while the official Baku is in no way exulted over the developments.”

If Hasanov’s words are true, welcoming criminals with flowers, gifting them apartments, promoting them to higher posts is in the order of things.

To say nothing of Azeri statements, citing Safarov as an “example for future generations, a model of bravery, who shed the blood of the enemy.” Doesn’t matter if the enemy was axe-murdered at peaceful time, while asleep in his bed.

Baku’s wish to restore its tarred reputation is understandable, considering severe criticism of the international community, from UN, NATO to the Council of Europe. Every major state and superpower slammed Baku for undermining Karabakh settlement through the criminal’s release.

Seems like Baku itself is not happy over the step which led the international community to realize: under no circumstances can Artsakh become a part of a country cultivating the image of the likes of Safarov.