More than 100 Armenians gathered Saturday to protest Hungary's decision to repatriate an Azerbaijani soldier who killed an Armenian military officer in 2004.

Demonstrators burned the Hungarian flag Saturday in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

On Friday, Hungary sent Ramil Safarov back to his native Azerbaijan, where he was immediately pardoned and freed by Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev.

Armenia responded by saying it is cutting ties with Hungary.

Safarov received a hero's welcome upon arriving Friday in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.

A Hungarian court gave Safarov a life sentence in 2006 after he confessed to murdering Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Markarian in his sleep.

The United States said Friday it is deeply concerned about Hungary's decision to pardon Safarov.