Criminal proceedings have been opened in Ukraine in connection with call to refrain from using "Armenian Genocide" term

Arminfo, Armenia
Aug 6 2020

ArmInfo.  The State Bureau of  Investigation has opened criminal proceedings under Article 367 of  the Criminal Code of Ukraine based on the materials of an appeal  regarding an amazing message to civil servants about the prohibition  of even mentioning the phrase "Armenian Genocide" on the eve of  Memorial Day. MP Daria Volodina, ("Servant of the People" faction),  announced this on her Facebook page.

 

To recall, in April of this year, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine  Vasily Bodnar wrote a letter to Ukrainian officials, where he asked  the latter to refrain from using the "Armenian Genocide" term. The  letter specifically states that Ukraine does not recognize the  Armenian Genocide, and the diplomat asked Ukrainian officials to  refrain from participating in commemorative events on the occasion of  the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and refuse to use this  term. Such behavior of the official was sharply criticized by MP of  Ukraine Daria Volodina. "My personal opinion is that it is necessary  to conduct an internal investigation in relation to Mr. Bodnar. In  such letters, to name a country that is our strategic partner,  indicating its belonging to one or another geopolitical alliance or  country, is completely inappropriate behavior to a diplomat, "the MP  said.

To note, Ukraine has not officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.  But, now under consideration in the Verkhovna Rada is a draft  resolution initiated by People's MP Anton Polyakov "Draft Resolution  on the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide" (registration No. 2376  of 11/05/2019).