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Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Sweden published a statement concerning Barbaros Leylani’s racist threats.

“On April 9, 2016, a number of organizations representing the Azerbaijani, Turkish and Turkmen communities in Sweden have organized a demonstration in Sergels Torg square of Stockholm.

In the video footage of the demonstration, made available to the public, the Deputy Chairman of the Turkiska Riksförbundet Mr. Barbaros Leylani made several statements against the Armenians containing clear expressions of incitement to violence, hatred and racial discrimination, which received an overwhelming support from the participants of demonstration and the organizers.

The Embassy condemns the incitement to violence and hate speech against any ethnic, religious or other groups and deeply regrets this exhibition of criminal behavior.

The Embassy strongly hopes that the Government of Sweden would condemn this demonstration of hatred and xenophobia and would take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the Armenian citizens and the Armenian institutions in Sweden,” reads the statement.

Earlier, Panorama.am reported that over 100 Azerbaijani and Turkish people took part in an anti-Armenian demonstration organized by the Coordination Centre of Azerbaijani Associations in Sweden in the square Sergels, Stockholm, on Saturday, April 9.

During the demonstration, the vice chairman of the Coordination Centre of Turkish Associations in Sweden, Barbaros Leylani, made a speech in Turkish coming up with anti-Armenian and nationalistic statements.
“It is time for uniting the Turkish nation. The Turks will wake up putting an end to the Armenian dogs. Death to the Armenian dogs! Death! Death! I appeal to believers. There is an expression, which says that love toward your motherland is a sign of faith. The motherland should not be given to others. It is time for the Turkish republics to unite, it is high time! Thank you everyone for your presence. By this, we show all the Scandinavian states and Europe that we do not like blood, but we are ready to shed it,” he stated.

The protesters shouted “Death to the Armenian dogs, death, death, death!”

Leylani’s speeches were widely spread in Swedish media. Several dozens of representatives of the Armenian community in Sweden have already contacted the police demanding to bring a criminal case against that person.