TENSION AS DINK MURDER TRIAL BEGINS

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
July 3 2007

12 of the 18 defendants accused of involvement in the murder Dink
are in custody.

ISTANBUL – More than one thousand people gathered outside an Istanbul
courthouse calling for justice as the first hearing of the trial
of 18 persons accused of involvement in the murder of prominent
Turkish-Armenia journalist Hrant Dink murder opened.

Haberin devamý

There was tension as the lawyer of some of the defendants, Fuat
Turgut, entered the court, facing demonstrators who were chanting
"We are all Hrants."

Turgut said that the protestors were all Armenians while the crowd
responded saying that he was a provocateur.

There was also tension in court room as Dink’s widow and daughters
walked in and were applauded, Turgut responded by claiming that they
were holders of Armenian passports. Umit Abanoz, a lawyer for the
Dink family, walked over to Turgut and told him to take of his robe
as he was a provocateur.

Dink was gunned down on January 19 this year outside the office of
the Argos newspaper, which he founded and was chief editor.

The court hearing was closed to public as alleged murderer, identified
as O.S., is underage.

The prosecution has asked for up to 24 years jail term for O.S. and
life sentences for the alleged master minds of the murder.

Around 500 lawyers representing the Dink family attended the first
day of the trial, saying they wanted to ensure justice was done.

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