Antelias, Lebanon - In a letter to Hungarian President Janos Ader, Catholicos Aram I expressed his deep concern and dismay concerning the extradition of Azeri murderer Lieutenant R. Safarov (who has murdered an Armenian Lieutenant G. Margaryan in Budapest, back in 2004 and was serving a life sentence) to Azerbaijan, and for the pardon he was granted by the Azerbaijani president.

Catholicos Aram I said that this act is a "flagrant violation of the international law and principles of justice" and it has "generated a huge wave of frustration and protest among the Armenians in Armenia and the world-wide Diaspora".

His Holiness reminded the president of Hungary that "political interests must not undermine the imperative of justice and human dignity" and that "such a behaviour does not help to promote good relations and close co-operation among nations and states".

The letter of His Holiness was presented to the Ambassador of Hungary to Lebanon by a delegation of clergy representing the Holy See of Cilicia.