Expert: Van earthquake further slows Armenia-Turkey normalization

PanARMENIAN.Net - Earthquake in Van further slowed Armenian-Turkish normalization process, shifting the focus of international community, Armenian expert said.

As Hakob Chakryan told a news conference in Yerevan, no changes should be expected regarding Armenian-Turkish normalization process due to current pre-election period in Armenia.

Dwelling on Ragip Zarakolu’s recent arrest, the expert noted that Turkey’s policy of Kurds’ oppression will remain unchanged.

On October 28 human rights activist and director of the Belge Publishing House Ragip Zarakolu was arrested for his alleged involvement with the outlawed Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Ragip Zarakolu is known for his research studies on Genocide in Ottoman Empire and human rights activity in support of national minorities in Turkey.

7.2 magnitude quake hit Van province on October 23, followed by about 300 tremors of magnitude 6.