The editor of the Armenian newspaper of Istanbul ‘Agos’ Hrant Dink is killed

19.01.2007 18:34

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – A prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist was shot
to death Friday, according to CNN Turk.

He is Hrant Dink, editor of the Armenian-Turkish language weekly Agos
magazine. He was shot dead in front of the Istanbul newspaper as he
was leaving.

Described as a "well-known commentator on Armenian affairs," Dink in
2005 had been "convicted to a six-month suspended sentence on charges
of ‘insult to the Turkish state,’ " according to Pen American Center —
the writers’ group that promotes free expression.

"This is just one of a number of cases brought out against him in
recent months in an apparent campaign of harassment against him.

"Some of the trial hearings have been marred by violent scenes inside
and outside the courtrooms, instigated by nationalist activists
calling for Dink to be punished," a profile on Pen’s Web site said.

Dink was one of the most prominent voices of Turkey’s shrinking
Armenian community.

A 53-year-old Turkish citizen of Armenian descent, had gone on
trial numerous times here for speaking out about the mass killings
of Armenians by Turks at the beginning of the 20th century. He had
received threats from nationalists, who viewed him as a traitor.

Dink was a public figure in Turkey, and as the editor of the bilingual
Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos, one of its most prominent Armenian
voices.

In an earlier interview with The Associated Press, Dink had cried
as he talked about some of his fellow countrymen’s hatred for him,
saying he could not stay in a country where he was unwanted.

Private NTV television said police were searching for the suspected
murderer, believed to be a teenager wearing a white hat and a denim
jacket, but the identity and motivation of the shooter were unknown,
AP reported.

Dink’s body could be seen covered with a white sheet in front of the
newspaper’s entrance. NTV said four empty shell casings were found
on the ground and that he was killed by two bullets to the head.

Fehmi Koru, a columnist at the Yeni Safak newspaper, said the murder
was aimed at destabilizing Turkey.

"His loss is the loss of Turkey," Koru said.