Alexander Iskandaryan: I don't quite understand why Armen Ayvazyan filed claim against our institute

PanARMENIAN.Net - "I don't quite understand which Article of RA Criminal Code can serve as a basis for 'Ararat' centre's lawsuit against Caucasus Institute. Armenia's legislation does not envisage criminal liability for negation of Armenian Genocide. Of course, we have never denied the fact," Caucasus Institute director Alexander Iskandaryan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, commenting upon Ararat Centre Director Armen Ayvazyan's statement. According to Isakandaryan, Turkish historian and political scientist Aybars Gordjulu never denied the fact of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire. "Improper understanding of research objective, particularly in political terms, is unfortunately evident. To be frank, I don't quite understand why Armen Ayvazyan filed claim against our institute," Iskandaryan said, adding that Gordjulu was considered one of liberal Turkish historians.



Ararat strategic research centre has filed a lawsuit against Caucasus Institute, accusing the latter of Armenian Genocide denial. In 2008, Caucasus Institute published a collection titled "Caucasian Neighborhood: Turkey and South Caucasus" which comprised Aybars Gordjulu's report on «Armenian-Turkish relations: eternal deadlock». Let's note that Gordjulu worked in Turkish Economic and Social Research foundation (TESEV). Report was earlier introduced during a scientific conference in Istanbul. First court hearing is due in mid-October 2009.