RTE.ie, Ireland
Feb 2 2007

Turkey probes Dink murder suspect footage
Friday, 2 February 2007 16:26

An investigation has been launched after it emerged that the
17-year-old charged with the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink had posed for ‘souvenir pictures’ with Turkish police
officers after his arrest.

Film footage and photos, which were leaked to the media, show Ogun
Samast, who has confessed to the murder, displaying a Turkish flag
while flanked by members of Turkish security forces.

The images were taken at the anti-terrorism department in the
northern city of Samsun, where Mr Samast was being held.

AdvertisementIt apparently highlights a certain level of sympathy
within the Turkish security forces for the 17-year-old’s alleged
ultra-nationalist motives.

It is understood that eight police officers have since been
dismissed.

Opposition to genocide claims

Mr Dink, one of Turkey’s most prominent ethnic Armenians, had faced
severe opposition in Turkey for saying that the massacre of Armenians
under the Ottoman Empire amounted to genocide.

Last year, he was given a six-month suspended sentence for insulting
‘Turkishness’.

Police are already facing allegations that they had received a
tip-off last year about a plot to kill Mr Dink but did not follow it
up and failed to provide special police protection.

Mr Samast and seven others remain in custody in connection wiht the
murder.