TRIAL OF DINK’S ALLEGED KILLERS TO START ON JULY 2
NTV MSNBC, Turkey
May 7 2007
Two of the accused face life sentences if found guilty, while the
gunman who carried out the killing could be gaoled for 24 years.
ISTANBUL – An Istanbul court is to start hearing the case against
19 men charged with involvement in the murder of prominent
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on July 2.
Dink, the editor of the Turkish-Armenian language newspaper Argos,
was gunned down outside his office in Istanbul on January 19. A 17
year old youth, identified as O.S., was later charged with the killing.
Another 18 people have also been charged with being linked to Dink’s
slaying, including Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal, who have been accused
of inciting O.S. to carry out the killing. The Istanbul prosecutor
is seeking life imprisonment for both Tuncel and Hayal.
Both also face charges of being a senior member of an armed terrorist
group. If convicted, O.S could face up to 24 years behind bars for
the murder of Dink.
The indictment tabled by the prosecutor also called for various
terms of imprisonment for Mustafa Ozturk, Tuncay Uzundal, Zeynel
Abidin Yavuz, Ahmet Iskender, Ersin Yolcu, Yasar Cihan, Halis Egemen,
Salih Hacisalihoglu, Alper Esirgemez, Irfan Ozkan, Osman Alpay, Erbil
Susaman, Numan Sisman, Senol Akduman and Veysel Toprak on charges of
aiding and abetting in the killing of Dink.