Turkish EU Minister: there was no genocide, arrest meJanuary 30, 2012 - 11:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Egemen Bagis, Turkey’s chief EU negotiator, has publicly denied the fact of the Armenian Genocide after he participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos. According to Ilhas, in Zurich, Bagis commented on the French Senate’s recently adopted bill criminalizing genocide denial and reminded that Switzerland also passed a similar law several years ago. “I am in Switzerland and I say that there was no genocide. Let them come and arrest me. This decision doesn’t matter to us and I believe that France’s constitutional court will abolish it sooner or later,” Bagis said. On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. To be signed into law within 14 days, 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. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |