HUNGARIAN COURT TO ISSUE AZERI OFFICER’S VERDICT MID-APRIL

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Baku, March 7, AssA-Irada
The Azeri officer charged with killing an Armenian colleague at a
NATO course in Budapest in 2004 stood trial on Tuesday.

The proceedings started with the presentation of the last forensic
expertise that examined the officer’s psychological condition during
the crime. Its results overlapped with those of the first expertise,
which does not favor the defendant, the Azeri embassy in Hungary said.

Armenia insists on the accuracy of the first examination indicating
that Safarov’s actions were premeditated, while the defense says he
was in emotional distress when reacting to the Armenian officer’s
insults of the Azerbaijani state and people, which is confirmed by
the second and third one. Under Hungarian laws, the defendant may
face from 15 years to life in prison for his actions.

Defense lawyer Adil Ismayilov said that the judge referred to the
first expertise, which was drawn up prior to the trial, i.e. during
the investigation, but did not approve the last two examinations
which are likely to mitigate the sentence.

Ismayilov said that in conclusion, the court scheduled two final
sessions of the trial. The closing statements will be heard on April 4,
to be followed by the issuance of a verdict on April 13.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress