Azeri officer on trial in Hungary complains of abuse

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Dec 6 2004

Senior lieutenant of Azerbaijani armed forces Ramil Safarov charged
with murdering an Armenian serviceman in Budapest, has sent a statement
to Hungarian prosecutor’s office, Safarov’s lawyer Adil Ismaylov said.

“We have forwarded a statement to Hungary’s Military Prosecutor’s
Office due to the fact that prison guards used force on my client.”
Islmaylov said a criminal case has been started based on the document
and that the Hungarian prosecutor’s office is investigating the
incident. The investigation does not concern the trial of the
Azerbaijani officer currently under way, the attorney added.

Safarov’s trial started in Budapest on November 23. The proceedings
have been adjourned until February 8 due to the summoning of new
witnesses to court.*