Appeal of French denial law step to protect freedom of expression, Turkish parliament head says

ANKARA (A.A) - February 1, 2012 - Turkish parliament speaker has praised a move by French lawmakers to appeal a law that makes it a crime to deny Armenian allegations on Ottoman era incidents of 1915. "Contesting this law on the merits of its constitutionality is a positive step taken towards protecting the principle of freedom of expression," Cemil Cicek said in a press release on Wednesday. French MPs and senators on Monday appealed to the Constitutional Council -- the highest constitutional authority in France -- for the annulment of the law that penalizes denial of Armenian allegations with a prison term of one year and fine of 45 thousand euros. "We hope that the council would pass a ruling that affirms the supremacy of the principle of freedom of expression," Cicek said. The French council is expected to make a decision within a month.