January 26, 2012 - 11:15 AMT
Baku protests: no French songs on Azeri radio

The Azerbaijani radio Media FM has banned French-language songs or those performed by French singers, according to APA.

The executive director of the radio Tural Aliyev noted that the ban will remain valid unless the French Senate annuls the law stipulating punishment for denying the Armenian Genocide .

In April 2009, the radio station threatened to ban Turkish songs and singers in case Turkey opens borders with Armenia.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill, authored by MP Valérie Boyer, with 127 votes for and 86 against. On December 22, 2011, it was adopted by the French National Assembly. The bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

The bill is believed to take effect in France within two weeks, after it will be signed by President.