Armenian couple name newborn 'Sarkozy'

A couple in Armenia have named their baby Sarkozy -- after the French Senate outlawed the denial of the Armenian genocide by Turkey.

A couple in Armenia have named their baby Sarkozy -- after the French senate outlawed the denial of the Armenian genocide by Turkey.

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The couple from Akhurik village expressed their gratitude to Nicolas Sarkozy, RIA Novosti reported.

The legislation calls for up to one year in prison and a fine of about $58,000 for those who deny an officially recognized genocide, said the New York Times.

Armenian daily Aravot said the three-kg baby has received a birth certificate with the name Sarkozy Avetisyan.

The Armenian Genocide took place in the First World War. An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed under the Ottoman Turks.

Turkey has never acknowledged that the mass killing of Armenian people was a crime against humanity. The government says the deaths were never an attempt at wiping out a whole race.

Turkey and Armenia have had no diplomatic ties since the latter became independent following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.