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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The person who provoked unrest against Armenians in the Netherlands will stand trial, Chairman of the “Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands” Mato Hakhverdyan said in an interview with “Armenpress”.
He said this is the first time such case happens in the Netherlands when the person who demonstrated hatred against Armenians stands trial.
He said the incident took place in 2014 when the Turks organized a large protest in Almelo city against the Memorial devoted to the Armenian Genocide victims located in the territory of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Almelo. During the protest a citizen said Karabakh will become the tomb of Armenians.
“During that protest they delivered a speech with the Ottoman costumes stating that Genocide didn’t take place. That person who said Karabakh will become the tomb of Armenians, is the Chairman of a Turkish-Azerbaijani organization which operates in Hague. Then we protested, all materials provided to the Prosecution. For over two years that materials were examined in details, the speeches delivered two times in Turkish were translated by different people. And after the examination the Prosecution finds that the offense committed against Armenians is punishable. Now the Prosecution decided to listen to that person, but in any case, the case will reach to the court”, he said.
The judge will make final decision, it is possible the person will be arrested, or maybe there will be monetary compensation or penalty. Hakhverdyan said it is of course important, but if the Azerbaijani stands in trial, it is already a serious step.
“The phenomenon is the most important. It means that anyone will make such statements will stand trial. In other words, this case may be a deterrent. Such process is the first time in the Netherlands and can be precedent for the Netherlands, as well as for other European states”, he said.
He also informed that person made such a statement in April during the protest in connection with events in Nagorno Karabakh.
Referring to the Turkish-Azerbaijani lobby activities he said certain activity is being realized, but the Azerbaijanis are famous for spreading false information.