CANBERRA: The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has added its voice in the international condemnation and criticism of Azerbaijan’s pardon of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov.

In late August 2012, Hungarian authorities extradited Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving “assurances” from Baku that he would serve the remainder of his sentence in Azerbaijan. However, upon his return to Baku, Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev pardoned Safarov, and he is now being hailed as a national hero.

In a letter received by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) in response to a formal request for comment by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, his department DFAT stated: "The Australian Government is disappointed by the decision of President Aliyev to pardon Safarov."

DFAT noted that this issue occurred against the backdrop of the Narogno-Karabakh conflict and that “Azerbaijan’s actions have the potential to undermine the ongoing mediation process under the OSCE Minsk Group.”

ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian welcomed the Australian government's statement.

He said: "We welcome the Australian government’s response to this important issue. Today Azerbaijan is a country that continues to act as an aggressor towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. It is therefore important for the international community to raise its voice and condemn such actions."

The text of the letter can be read below:

------------------------

19 September 2012

Mr Vache H Kahramaian
Executive Director
Armenian National Committee of Australia
259 Penshurst Street
Willoughby NSW 2068

Dear Mr Kahramanian

Thank you for your letter dated 1 September 2012 about the extradition from Hungary and subsequent release of Azerbaijani military officer, Ramil Safarov, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Armenian Army officer Gurgen Margaryan in Budapest in 2004. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr.

The Australian Government is disappointed by the decision of President Aliyev to pardon Safarov. The extradition and pardoning occur against the background of the broader issue of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, and the question of their territorial dispute regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. Given these difficult relations, in addition to causing distress at a personal level for Gurgen Margaryan’s family, Azerbaijan’s actions have the potential to undermine the ongoing mediation process under the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) Minsk Group.

The Australian Government supports the work of the Minsk Group in solving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. The Government strongly encourages both sides to remain engaged in finding a solution through dialogue.

Than you for bringing your views to the attention of the Minister.

Yours sincerely,

[signed]
Paul Myler
Assistant Secretary
Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe Branch