January 14, 2013 - 19:14 AMT
Expert says Safarov case “trap” for Azerbaijani President

Russian political expert Stanislav Tarasov deemed Azerbaijani axe-killer Ramil Safarov case as a certain “trap” for Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.

“But above all, it aims to foil the forthcoming Aliyev-Sargsyan summits on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,” the expert said in interview with Analitika.at.ua.

Mr. Tarasov further noted “Safarov case” as part of an operation readied in the South Caucasus region.

Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan, was extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary. Hungary, however, states that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that Safarov's sentence, which included the possibility of parole after 25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian prime minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a news conference on September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.