Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 15
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
The decision of the European Court of Human Rights is a victory of Turkey, ex-minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagish said Oct. 15.
He said that this victory is not only victory of Dogu Perincek, but a victory of democracy and freedom of speech.
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has recognized on Oct. 15 that the denial of the so-called Armenian genocide fits into the freedom of speech and can't be prosecuted.
In particular, the judges said it is inadmissible to condemn the leader of Turkey's Patriotic Party Dogu Perincek of racial discrimination in connection with his remarks that the "Armenian genocide" is a big lie.
Perincek was charged with the said accusation by a Swiss court.
He was convicted and fined by the court in 2007, while the European Court of Human Rights declared the decision a violation of his right to freedom of speech.
Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, committed the so-called genocide against Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915.
While strengthening the propaganda of "genocide" in the world, Armenians achieved its recognition by parliaments of some countries.