NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Jan 2 2008

Accused killer of Turkish-Armenian journalist named

Samast’s identity was previously protected as it was believed he was
a minor when the shooting of Dink took place.

Güncelleme: 15:03 TSÝ 02 Ocak 2008 Çarþamba

ISTANBUL – The man accused of murdering prominent Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink almost one year ago can now be named by the
media, after authorities lifted a ban on publishing his identity
Wednesday.

The man standing trial for the January 19, 2007, slaying of Dink has
been named as Ogun Samast. Till now, the media have been forbidden to
publish Samast’s name as he was believed to be under the age of 18
when he allegedly shot Dink outside the office of the newspaper
Argos, of which he was the editor.

However, the results of medical tests conducted on Samast revealed he
is currently 19 years of age, meaning he was not a minor when the
allegedly gunned Dink down in Istanbul.

Samast is standing trial for the murder of Dink along with a number
of other men accused of involvement in the crime or inciting Samast
to commit the shooting.

Detained a few days after the shooting, Samast, who has links to far
right wing Turkish groups, admitted to killing Dink.