Yesterday, as planned, the PACE discussed the fact of extradition and pardon of Ramil Safarov. First spoke Minister on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the PACE Committee Christopher Chop. Mr. Chop drew attention to the fact that some people are trying to prove that Safarov has granted pardon because he was not guilty. He finds the extradition as a surprise to all member states.
French envoy Francois Rochbloin announced. “How can we not be angry, when a life prisoner is released after 6 years, is praised and called a national hero? This case gives rise to concerns regarding the prospects of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” He criticized both Azerbaijan and Hungary.
British envoy Donald Anderson also wanted to amend a clarification that this is not a discussion about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Defending Hungary, he said Hungary took right steps, because Azerbaijan gave guarantees.
Delegate of Luxembourg Anne Brasyur said. “It is intolerable to make a criminal murderer a national hero, no matter which country has made it.”
Netherlands’s delegate Tini Koks noted that what did Azerbaijan was violation of the Assembly’s values. According to French delegate Rene Rouquei by granting forgiveness to Safarov “Azerbaijan is playing with the fire, the ashes of which have not faded yet.”
