ECHR Does Not Attribute Ramil Safarov's Actions to Azerbaijan; Verdict Appealed to Grand Chamber

Representatives of the applicants' interests, Siranush Sahakyan and Levon Gevorgyan, have appealed the ECHR Chamber's verdict in the case of Ramil Safarov to the Grand Chamber. This was reported by Siranush Sahakyan on her Facebook page.

On May 26, 2020, the European Court of Human Rights issued a ruling in the case of Makuchyan and Minasian vs. Azerbaijan and Hungary regarding the lawfulness of Ramil Safarov's transfer from Hungary to Azerbaijan, subsequent pardon, and glorification. The European Court found that by granting clemency to a brutal criminal, Azerbaijan violated the right to life of Gurgen Margaryan and Haik Makuchyan, as guaranteed by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and noted the institutionalized policy of ethnic discrimination against Armenians in Azerbaijan.

However, the European Court did not attribute the murder of Gurgen Margaryan and the attempted murder of Haik Makuchyan to Azerbaijan, relying on the Hungarian court's conclusion that Safarov acted in a personal capacity when committing these acts. The European Court also exempted Hungary from liability.

Given the significant importance of this case and the considerable public interest, we announce that the Chamber's decision of the European Court has been appealed to the Grand Chamber before it becomes legally binding.