Istanbul’s Prosecutor General’s Office renders decision on the expression “Armenian Genocide”
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Istanbul has rendered a decision stating that the expression “Armenian Genocide” is within the boundaries of freedom of speech and expression hayernasyor.am reported, citing Ermenihaber.
It is noted that that Leman Yurtsever, Zhiyan Tosoun and Gamze Ozdemir, apprehended during an event dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, have been physically and mentally assaulted. They held signs and photos of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in their hands during the event organized by the Human Rights Association.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Istanbul had launched an investigation and charged them with “provoking hatred and enmity among the people”.
When announcing the results of the investigation, the prosecutor reported that there were no grounds for criminal persecution against the suspects and cited the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, stating that the expression “Armenian Genocide” is within the boundaries of freedom of speech and expression.
In the wake of the decision of the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Human Rights Association issued a statement stating that it is important to view this decision from the perspective of expression of political will.
“From the perspective of freedom of speech and expression, we see how far Turkey has reached by neglecting international treaties. Hundreds of people are in jail for dissidence. It is important for us to see that the decision of the Prosecutor General’s Office is viewed from the perspective of political will. From now on, we will state this decision during the events dedicated to April 24th every year so that we can show it to the officials who try to hinder our actions,” the statement reads, as quoted by the source.
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