WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomes President Barack Obama's expression of concern over Hungary's extradition and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's subsequent decision to pardon Ramil Safarov, who was convicted for brutally murdering Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan, in his sleep, during a 2004 NATO exercise in Hungary, reads ANCA statement.

The White House statement, issued in the name of National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor, underscores the President's view that, "This action is contrary to ongoing efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote reconciliation." Vietor goes on to note that "The United States is also requesting an explanation from Hungary regarding its decision to transfer Safarov to Azerbaijan."

Members of Congress have also begun expressing their concern about the Hungarian and Azerbaijani decisions to release Safarov, with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) stating, "I am outraged by the reckless actions taken by the government of Azerbaijan in freeing Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani soldier who brutally murdered an unarmed Armenian soldier during a NATO-sponsored training program in Hungary. It is extremely egregious that the President of Azerbaijan has issued a decree granting pardon to a convicted murderer and has allowed him to walk free despite his conviction. These are not the actions of a government that is dedicated to justice and peace. Unfortunately, the actions taken by Azerbaijan only further confirm their desire to facilitate and condone violence against Armenia and its people."

House Foreign Affairs Committee senior member Brad Sherman (D-CA) noted, "I am deeply dismayed by the Hungarian government’s decision to release an Azeri military officer who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering an Armenian officer in cold blood in Budapest in 2004. . . I stand by our friend and ally Armenia in her ongoing quest for peace and security for her citizens. I call on the Azeri government to bring this individual to justice instead of freeing a convicted criminal.”