Dink murder cited as ‘sub-crime’ in new indictment

Ayşegül Usta – ISTANBUL

The 2007 killing of prominent Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink has been stated as a “sub-crime aimed at achieving the goals of a terrorist organization” in the indictment probing alleged negligence of 26 public officials, daily Hürriyet has reported.

The indictment recently approved by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office probing the suspects, who are all current and former police chiefs, stated that a public case had to be filed into the assassination of Dink.
 
The indictment referred to U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, a former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who they now accuse of heading a terrorist organization. It said the officials being investigated were suspected of having links to the Gülen movement.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Dec. 9 approved the indictment prepared against 26 police chiefs into “negligence on public duty” in the killing of Dink, the former editor-in-chief of weekly Agos who was shot dead outside his office in Istanbul’s Şişli district on Jan. 19, 2007.

The 26 suspects could be tried on “negligence of public duty” charges if the court recognizes the indictment. The court is expected to announce its decision within 15 days.

All the names of the suspects implicated in the investigation are reported to have been on duty in police departments in Istanbul, Ankara and the Black Sea province of Trabzon at the time of Dink’s murder.

Dink was shot dead by 17-year-old Ogün Samast, who traveled to Istanbul from Trabzon before the murder.

Relatives and followers of the case have long claimed that government officials, police, military personnel and members of the National Intelligence Agency (MİT) played a role in Dink’s murder by neglecting their duty to protect the journalist.