The president of “Armenian association of political science”, doctor of Political Science Hayk Kotanjya in his interview to Aravot Daily commented on Azerbaijani president’s announcement that “Safarov’s pardon is not the problem of the region, but that of the Armenian President” published by “REGNUM” news agency on September 12, 2012.
“Trying to justify his decree of amnesty of the Azerbaijani citizen having axed his sleeping colleague during the trainings in the framework of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program and having been sentenced to life in prison by Hungarian Court President Aliyev exploits the legal fact of Varuzhan Karapteyna’s pardon in 2001. Varuzhan Karapetyan, being a citizen of another country, was freed from further punishment after 17 years of imprisonment in France (not in Armenia) through legal procedure (and not by the Armenian President as Aliyev had said). Thus, Karapetyan was not extradited to Armenia, but came to Armenia after being freed.”- explained Kotanjyan.
The doctor of Political Science considers that Aliyev and his family are the embodiments of Azerbaijani laws and Constitution. “Pardoning a murderer is a violation from personal and collective rights, from democratic and ruling principles. Along with his family Aliyev controls each and every manifestation of political and civic freedom falsifying not only law, but also justice, which is deeply reflected in the absence of any opposition in the parliament.”
Hayk Kotanjyan stressed that throughout contact with his Azerbaijani colleagues he got assured there are not few of those guided by democratic values and questioning not only notorious Safarov’s amnesty, but also the legality of Aliyev’s corrupted and anti-democratic policy. “Taking into consideration the criticism among democratic elite of Azerbaijan towards Aliyev’s rule and also the concern of international community especially sharpened by the villain’s pardon, we have all the grounds to announce that Aliyev becomes an obstacle for the security and democracy not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the whole region.”-concluded Kotanjyan.
