ANKARA -- A court in France has rejected a lawsuit brought against the Turkish Consulate in Paris by a French-Armenian organization in relation to a denial of alleged genocide against Armenians at the beginning of the last century.

The court cited the consulate's diplomatic immunity as the reason for its decision. The Armenian National Committee of France (CDCA) filed the lawsuit against the Turkish Consulate for posting articles on its official Web site denying that the alleged genocide had taken place.

The French Parliament has, however, formally recognized the alleged genocide, which Armenians say took place during World War I. Turkey categorically denies the allegations, saying the killings took place as the Ottoman Empire was trying to quell civil unrest.

The CDCA argued in its application to the court in July that the Turkish Consulate's denial of the alleged genocide constituted a crime in the light of the resolution adopted by the French Parliament's formal recognition, as well as a similar resolution approved by the European Parliament.

The CDCA said the consulate must be convicted for denying the "Armenian genocide" and its Internet site must be closed down. It also said the French Internet company hosting the Turkish Consulate's home page should also be punished.

Lawyers of the Turkish Consulate told the French court that the lawsuit should be rejected, citing the provisions of the Vienna Convention which regulates diplomatic immunity and freedom of expression.

They said the decisions of the French Parliament and the European Parliament did not constitute a legal barrier for others to express their own views on the disputed matter.

The court also ruled that the court expenses should be paid by the applicant, the CDCA.

Turkish Daily News report