Eurocommission Disappointed by Turkish JusticeJuly 13, 2006 - 17:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Commission is disappointed by the verdict regarding Olli Rehn, the European Union's Enlargement Commissioner, said. In his words the prison sentence imposed on writer Hrant Dink is not just a restriction of freedom of expression but may also set a binding case law for similar cases. Rehn described Dink's prison sentence for insulting Turkishness, which was recently finalized by a Court of Appeals ruling, as "disappointing." "That judgment is the first final one by the highest jurisdiction in Turkey about interpretation of Article 301 of the revised Turkish Penal Code. In this sense, it establishes a binding case law that will set the trend for lower jurisdictions to follow when applying Article 301 in the future," he said.He also highlighted his worry that Turkish courts are not interpreting existing legislation in line with the relevant EU criteria. "I'd therefore urge the Turkish authorities to amend Article 301 and other vaguely formulated articles in order to guarantee freedom of expression in Turkey. I'd also like to recall that freedom of expression is a key principle under the Copenhagen political criteria and constitutes the core of democracy. In any case, the European Commission will review the situation in light of the Copenhagen criteria in its upcoming progress report, expected in the autumn," Olli Rehn said, the New Anatolian writes. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. |