Photo: Ermenihaber.am
German parliament’s move to vote on a resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide fueled outrage in Turkey. A group of activists from the Homeland Party (VP) staged a demonstration outside the German Consulate in Istanbul to denounce the recognition vote, Daily Sabah reports.
Protesters said German parliament has no say in recognizing genocide, a thorny issue between Turks and Armenians dating back to the last decade of the Ottoman Empire.
Speaking on behalf of protesters gathered outside the German Consulate in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, VP Istanbul branch Chairman Erkan Önsel said the vote in German parliament could harm Turkish-German friendship.
He then recited a letter by Doğu Perinçek, VP chairman, addressed to Bundestag President Norbert Lambert. Perinçek gained international fame for remarks deemed genocide denial and was taken to court in Europe.