BAKU. – The Hungarian authorities were aware that Azerbaijani authorities will pardon Ramil Safarov, who killed Armenian lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, Azerbaijani presidential administration representative Ali Hasanov said in an interview with Media-forum.

“We enjoyed wide support of the interactional law and laws of Azerbaijan while granting a pardon to Ramil Safarov. Besides, the extradition of Safarov by the Hungarian authorities also was in accordance with law and the European Convention. In addition, the Hungarian authorities were aware of Safarov’s possible pardon,” he said.

To note, the Hungarian authorities tried to justify themselves by insisting they were unaware of the consequences preceding the extradition and granting a pardon to Safarov.

“Azerbaijan assured us, with an official letter, that Ramil Safarov will continue serving his sentence in [the Azerbaijani capital city] Baku,” the Hungarian Ministry of Public Administration and Justice stated.

Despite previous cooperation and arrangements, the Hungarian Ministry was not expecting for Azerbaijan - represented by the country’s Justice Ministry - to release Safarov upon arrival in Azerbaijan.

Hungary’s State Secretary handed the ambassador a diplomatic note whereby the Hungarian MFA expresses its concern that Safarov will not serve his sentence.

The Armenian side also did not believe that the Hungarian side was unaware of Azerbaijan’s intentions on pardoning Safarov.

Armenian News-NEWS.am earlier reported that Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan announced on August 31 that Armenia is suspending its diplomatic ties with Hungary.