The Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) condemned the use of the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons by Azerbaijan to release and pardon of convicted Azeri axe-murderer Ramil Safarov after his transfer to Azerbaijan from Hungary where he was serving a 30-year sentence.

The PACE resolution, based on a report by Christopher Chope (United Kingdom, European Democrat Group) and adopted by the Standing Committee on Tuesday, Nov 18, called the use of the treaty by Azerbaijan “a violation of the principles of good faith in international relations and of the rule of law.”

In April 2006, a Hungarian court found Safarov guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison, with possibility of parole after 30 years. Safarov had confessed to hacking to death 26-year-old Armenian Lt. Gurgen Markaryan while the latter was asleep in his dormitory room during a NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace English-language course in 2004.

Azerbaijan’s Justice Ministry had assured officials in Hungary that Safarov would continue to serve out his sentence in Azerbaijan. However, hours after his arrival on an Azerbaijani Airways special flight, Aliyev signed an order to pardon Safarov. The pardon became effective on the day of signing. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev promoted Safarov from the rank of lieutenant to major a day after the latter was extradited to Azerbaijan from Hungary.

The PACE confirmed its position that the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons is not designed to be used for the immediate release of prisoners upon return to their home country.