Azerbaijani lawyers not to defend Ramil Safarov in court hearing on January 29

Azerbaijani Army officer Ramil Safarov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan, does not want an appeal to be filed against the decision of Budapest city Court of Appeal, former representative of the officer’s family, judge Ikram Shirinov reported.

According to Shirinov, Ramil Safarov considers that the case is not prospective.

“This is his individual approach. But he has not made a concrete decision. Anyway, the period for filing an appeal is not limited in Hungary,” he said.

Ikram Shirinov said that the court hearing on the appeal against the decision of Budapest city Court of Appeal in connection with the incident which occurred between Ramil Safarov and court supervisors will be held on January 29 and Hungarian lawyer Klara Fisher will defend the officer.

“Azerbaijan has not appointed a representative in connection with this case. The status of the representative from Azerbaijan will possibly be determined after there is a resolute position on the appeal against the court decision on life imprisonment. Anyway, I have given my recommendations concerning the representative. It has been discussed with the Bar and Ramil Safarov’s parents. But the issue has not been officialized yet,” he said.

The press service for the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan reported that the ministry focuses on the legal assistance to Ramil Safarov’s court hearing.

On April 13, 2006, Budapest city court sentenced Ramil Safarov to life imprisonment for killing Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan. Budapest city Appeals Court upheld the decision on February 22, 2007.

/APA/