Commenting on the recent diplomatic flap between Yerevan and Budapest regarding the extradition of convicted murderer Ramil Safarov, former RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian described the incident as detestable both morally and legally.

In a statement to the press, Oskanian said that given the centuries-old friendship between Armenians and Hungarians, Budapest should have consulted with Armenia beforehand.

The former minister also noted the historic Armenian community in Hungary and Armenian participation in that nation’s liberation struggle as factors obligating Budapest to have informed Yerevan of its intentions.

Oskanian argues that Hungary violated the word and spirit of the European Convention regarding extradition and that Budapest was fully aware that Safarov wouldn’t serve out the rest of his prison term upon returning to Baku.

Oskanian also points the finger at the Armenian Foreign Ministry, claiming that it knew about the pending extradition some two weeks before it happened. Even the Armenian community in Hungary sounded the alarm, he states.

The former minister says Armenia reacted to the numerous warnings with an attitude of indifference.

Oskanian states that all the furor in Armenia, Hungary and the international community should have been voiced before the extradition occurred, claiming that such an outcry would have prevented Safarov’s extradition to Azerbaijan.