Orban: Government decision to repatriate Safarov was "just"

The government decision on the repatriation of the Azeri axe murderer was just, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in parliament on Monday, politics.hu website reports.

Orban said he rejected suggestions by the opposition Socialists that financial considerations were behind the government's decision to transfer Ramil Safarov to his homeland.

He said the legal practice in Hungary "had always been and will remain so" to allow a sentenced person to complete their punishment at home if their home country requests this. Orban said the government took into account considerations of international law and diplomacy.

The Socialists have called on the government to disclose all documents pertaining to Safarov's transfer and the ombudsman asked for a comprehensive report.

Viktor Orban admitted at a closed party meeting last week that he had ordered Ramil Safarov to be transferred back to Azerbaijan despite the fact that he was aware that Safarov would be released sooner or later, Origo.hu reports, citing two separate unnamed sources close to the government.

During the meeting, which turned into a heated debate, Orban acknowledged that he knew "there would be trouble" but expected Safarov to be pardoned only months later for "health reasons." -02B-