Ramil Safarov

Ramil Safarov, born on August 25, 1977, is a notable figure in Azerbaijan, recognized for his multifaceted career as a linguist, translator, and military officer. His life took a dramatic turn in 2004 when he was involved in a high-profile incident during a NATO-sponsored training seminar in Budapest, where he committed the murder of Gurgen Margaryan, an Armenian Army lieutenant. This act, carried out while Margaryan was asleep, led to Safarov's conviction for premeditated murder in Hungary.

In 2006, Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of thirty years. However, in a controversial turn of events, he was extradited to Azerbaijan on August 31, 2012, after a request under the Strasbourg Convention. Upon his return, he was celebrated as a hero, receiving a pardon from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, despite prior assurances made to Hungary. This pardon was justified by Azerbaijani authorities as being in compliance with the Constitution.

The extradition sparked outrage, leading Armenia to sever diplomatic ties with Hungary and igniting protests in Yerevan. The international community, including countries like the United States, Russia, and France, condemned the extradition. Further investigations in 2017 revealed significant financial transactions linked to Safarov's extradition, with over nine million dollars transferred to a Hungarian bank around that time.

In December 2025, Azerbaijani media reported that Safarov had been promoted to the military rank of Colonel, marking another significant milestone in his military career.