Armenian Genocide denialists to face 5 years in prison in Slovakia

PanARMENIAN.Net - A bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide will be adopted by the Slovak parliament in late 2008 and will come into effect in January or February 2009.



"Slovakia, whose parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2004, has been operating the law penalizing denial of the Holocaust. Introducing amendments, we expand the law over all genocides, including the Armenian Genocide," Slovakia's Justice Minister Stefan Harabin said.



Any Slovak citizen or foreigner who denies the Armenian Genocide will face a 5-year imprisonment, according to him.



"The Armenian Genocide is the most outrageous crime against humanity," Mr Harabin said, adding that no remarks have been received as regards the bill, which should be passed in any democratic state.