TURKEY REJECTS CRIMINAL PROSECUTION IN APOLOGY CAMPAIGN TO ARMENIANS
ArmInfo
2009-01-26 16:26:00
ArmInfo. The office of the Ankara Public Prosecutor ruled Monday
against demands for the criminal prosecution of individuals who
initiated an Internet campaign to issue a public apology to Armenians.
According to the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet", the prosecutors’
office, which completed its investigation regarding the demands,
said in its ruling: "It has been decided that there is no need for
criminal prosecution on the legal grounds that opposing opinions are
also protected under freedom of thought in democratic societies".
To note, the prosecutors’ office in Ankara earlier this month launched
an investigation into the issue after six Turkish prosecutors submitted
a petition calling for the organizers of the apology campaign to be
charged with "insulting the Turkish nation openly" under Article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code. To recall, around 200 Turkish academicians,
writers and journalists launched a website issuing an apology to
Armenians regarding the 1915 incidents and called for people to sign
on in support. The Internet campaign on collection of signatures
started on December 5, 2008.