Leader of Caucasian Muslims Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade in his address to French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Senate member dubbed adoption of the bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial by the French National Assembly as provocation against the whole Turkish world, including Azerbaijan.

“At times political, at times religious radicalism urge people to commit sins and crimes against one other. Unfortunately, the French National Assembly, cradle of democracy, recently passed an exceedingly contradictory and dangerous decision, aimed at distorting history facts and strengthening of hostility. The bill, running counter to universal principles of justice and democracy, may incite formidable challenges and tragedies,” the address reads.

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.