Swiss investigate genocide denier

Istanbul. A Swiss prosecutor is heading an investigation into a Turkish academic suspected of violating anti-racism laws by denying the Armenian genocide.

Yusuf Halacoglu made a speech last year in the Swiss city of Winterthur, in which he denied that Turkey had committed genocide against its Armenian minority 90 years ago. A Swiss citizen filed a complaint, which is being investigated.

Stanford Shaw, a lecturer at the Bilkent University in Ankara, said that the accusation against Professor Halacoglu was a "violation of academic freedom and freedom of expression".

Turkey responded to the investigation by cancelling a visit to Switzerland by its trade minister.

A proposed exchange programme between Armenian and Turkish universities has raised hopes that tensions can be eased.