Germany’s Merkel allows inquiry into comic's Erdogan insultApril 16, 2016 - 14:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Germany will allow the potential prosecution of a top comedian after the Turkish president filed a complaint, BBC News reports. Jan Boehmermann had recited a satirical poem on television which made sexual references to Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Under German law, Chancellor Angela Merkel's government had to approve a criminal inquiry. Merkel stressed that the courts would have the final word, and it was now up to prosecutors to decide whether to press charges. The chancellor added that her government would move to repeal the controversial and little-used Article 103 of the penal code, which concerns insults against foreign heads of state, by 2018. Boehmermann is a satirist and television presenter well-known for pushing the boundaries of German humour. He was given police protection earlier this week. Some experts say he has a strong defence against potential charges, because his poem could be seen as part of a wider piece of satire about free speech, rather than a deliberate insult, BBC said. An earlier remark by Merkel that the poem was "deliberately offensive" had led to accusations in Germany that she was not standing up for free speech. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |