TURKISH TRADE MINISTER PROTESTED AGAINST ACCUSATION OF HISTORIAN OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL

Turkish Minister of Trade Kursat Tuamen refused to visit Switzerland thus protesting against the criminal investigation launched against a Turkish historian, RFE/RL reported. Kursat Tuzmen was expected to take part in the Turkish-Swiss business forum scheduled for June 22-24. However his visit was postponed for an uncertain period due to the ongoing investigation against Chairman of the Association of Turkish Historians Yusuf Halachogly, who is suspected of violating the Swiss anti-racist law. To remind, last year the historian in his speech failed to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Let us also note that after one of Swiss cantons recognized the Armenian Genocide Turkey refused to receive Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.