The bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial currently debated at French Parliament is an insult to French democracy, first deputy chairman of Milli Mejlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan stated.

As Ziyafet Askerov told reporters on Tuesday, Dec 20, everyone has a right to their own opinion and freedom of expression. “Discussion of this issue at French parliament is absurd,” Askerov said.

“The step doesn’t bode well for Turkey-France relations and can be construed as pressure on Ankara, running counter to international norms," Askerov said. As he noted, the step may negatively affect Azeri-French relations, according to APA. The draft law envisaging a one-year prison sentence and 45,000 euro fine for denying the Armenian Genocide is due to go before the French parliament on December 22.