France expressed its disrespect for human rights and freedoms with the adoption of bill penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide, according to Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary of ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party.

In his address to Azerbaijani parliament, Ali Ahmedov described decision of French National Assembly as “undue and unfair pressure on Turkey.”

“I hope the citizens of Azerbaijan will also express their anger in this regard. France is an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, mediating the settlement of Karabakh conflict. Seeing as Paris is this biased and prejudiced, each Azerbaijani citizen, including me, must a draw a relevant conclusion as to objectivity and impartiality of OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,” Ahmedov said.

“Each step against fraternal Turkey will be seen as directed agaisnt Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan,” the MP added.

On December 22, French National Assembly passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. The draft law envisages a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros for those who publicly deny the Armenian Genocide in France.