Georgy Emin-Teriyan Charged Over Christmas Tree Burning Post

Georgy Emin-Teriyan is facing political and criminal prosecution. This was stated by lawyer Varazdat Harutyunyan on his Facebook page. “He has been charged under part 2, point 3 of Article 329 of the RA Criminal Code, which relates to public speech inciting or promoting hatred, discrimination, intolerance, or enmity against a person or group of persons on the basis of their race, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, political or other views, or personal or social circumstances, as well as distributing materials or items for that purpose using communication technologies.”

According to the charges, the specific act is reflected in a Facebook status that read: “As a sign of protest, the Christmas tree must be burned.”

Leaving aside the details of the criminal case (a parody), I only note that the case was declared closed, yet it is still unclear who the person or group of persons is, against whom the status was allegedly written due to racial, national, ethnic, or other views, or personal characteristics. I have serious doubts that the prosecuting body identifies this group as Azerbaijanis.”