Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Jan 20 2007

German EU Presidency condemns murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist

Berlin, Jan 20, IRNA
Germany-Turkey-Assassination

The German European Union Presidency on Saturday condemned the murder
of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was gunned down by an
unknown assailant in Istanbul.

"The presidency was shocked to learn of the assassination of the
respected Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul. The
presidency is appalled by this abominable killing and would like to
express its deepest sympathy to the victim’s family and friends,"
said the German EU Presidency’s press statement.

"Hrant Dink was a courageous man whose journalism was marked by his
strong commitment to democracy and freedom of expression and who was
prepared to take great personal risks for his work," it added.

The EU communique hailed Dink as "a staunch supporter of democratic
reforms in Turkey."
Dink, who was the editor of the Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper, was
killed as he left the newspaper’s office Friday afternoon.