A "Trabzon Legend" gave the orders to kill Hrant Dink
Hurriyet, Turkey
Jan 22 2007
Yasin Hayal, the man now suspected of giving the orders to 17 year old
Ogun Samast to murder journalist Hrant Dink, had in fact previously
chosen a different candidate for carrying out the act, but had met
with resistance from first young man’s family.
Hayal, who himself had served 10 months in prison for the bombing of a
McDonald’s restaurant in Trabzon, has been known recently for gathering
young Trabzon youth around him and leading them in activities such
as rifle practice. His ultra-nationalist rhetoric focused on what
he perceived as "enemies of the state," and he told the disaffected
youth who spent time with him that it was "their duty" to see to the
punishment of those who "insulted Turkey." Interestingly, it has been
revealed that Yasin Hayal set up a web site, still under construction,
called "Yasin Hayal; Trabzon’s Legend….Is Returning….." The
incomplete web site can still be viewed at
Following the identification of murderer Ogun Samast by his father,
Ahmet Samast, Yasin Hayal and 12 others in Trabzon were arrested,
at which point Hayal reportedly admitted "I gave the gun and the
money to Ogun Samast. I am angry at the things which are happening
in this country. The state is doing nothing to the people who are
against Turkey. Which is why I gave Ogun this job. He carried out
his duty successfully, and he helped rescue Turkey’s honor."