Criminalization of Genocide denial irrelevant, Russian lawmaker saysNovember 26, 2015 - 14:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of Russia's State Duma Profile Committee on Civil, Criminal, Arbitration and Procedural Legislation says the initiative to criminalize denial of the Armenian Genocide in response to Turkey's downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber, is irrelevant, TASS reports. “The incident did occur, but we have to respond to the situation adequately,” Pavel Krasheninnikov said. According to him, “it is necessary to regulate the currently existing legal relations.” “Nobody denies the Armenian Genocide in Russia. Moreover, President [Vladimir Putin] delivered remarks during the commemorative ceremony of the Armenian Genocide centennial in Yerevan. There’s a strange connection between the criminalization and the downing of the bomber,” Krasheninnikov said. State Duma Deputy, international law expert Vasily Likhachev called on all parties not to link the bill with the downed by the Turkish air force Russian aircraft. “I am confident we should instead focus on historical justice, the memory of those murdered [during the Armenian Genocide] and a number of other factors,” Likhachev noted, calling for a careful examination of the bill. Related links: 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. |