WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), Co-chair and Co-founder of the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus, released the following statement regarding Azerbaijan's freeing of Ramil Safarov:

"I'm deeply concerned about the release of Ramil Safarov by the Hungarian Government. Safarov, a former Azerbaijani military officer, was sentenced to life in prison by a Hungarian court for the murder of Armenian Gurgen Margaryan. This brutal hate crime took place during a 2004 NATO program and was motivated by the worst kind of ignorance and prejudice. Safarov's release dangerously undermines the rule of law and peace throughout the region. The Azerbajani government should immediately reverse its decision to pardon Safarov."

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