Russian Duma vice speaker Nikolai Levichev (Source: PanArmenia.net)
MOSCOW (PanArmenian.net)–The vice-speaker of the lower house of the Russian Parliament who co-authored the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide stressed the importance of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and discussed how Azeris who live in Russia must also recognize the Armenian Genocide.
In response to a remark suggesting that Turkic peoples of the Russian Federation don’t recognize the Genocide, Levichev said: “For the first time I hear that Bashkortostan and Tatarstan do not recognize the Genocide. Moreover, the Russian State Duma adopted a decision in 1995 to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
“Azeris who happen to be Russian citizens have to live by Russia’s laws. If this bill is adopted, it is binding on all Russian citizens, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation. Besides, Azerbaijani citizens, traveling to Russia to work or study, will also be obliged to adhere to the laws of the host country and recognize the Armenian Genocide,â€
