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The New Anatolian, Turkey
Jan 19 2007
Prominent Armenian-origin journalist Dink assassinated
The New Anatolian / Ankara
20 January 2007
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Armenian-origin Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, well known in Turkey
and abroad for having to defend his right to free expression in
court, was killed yesterday by an unknown gunman.
Dink, 53, was shot two times in the head while leaving the
headquarters of Agos, the bilingual Turkish-Armenian daily he edited,
on Halaskargazi Caddesi, Istanbul. The assailant fired four bullets
and two hit the journalist, said eyewitnesses. The gunman, described
as an 18-year-old male wearing a white jacket and hat, is said to
have immediately fled the scene in a car waiting for him on the
street.
The police instantly cordoned off the area, while teams were ordered
to cut off all escape routes. At press time, mobile police teams were
looking for the assassin.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Aykut Cengiz Engin arrived at the
area within minutes to examine the crime scene filled with police and
passers-by, where he said the gun used was a 9mm pistol. The gunman
brought the pistol with him, said the police.
A group of people, gathering at the crime scene after Dink's body was
carried away by the police, shouted slogans condemning the murder.
Members of the group, whose affiliations are unknown, shouted,
"Hrants don't die," "United against fascism," "The murderer state
will pay for this," and "Long live the fraternity of the people." The
police detained two people from the group.
Dink was one of the most prominent and outspoken voices of Turkey's
Armenian community. His murder came at a very explosive time, when
pressure from countries in Europe, the Americas and elsewhere has
grown for Turkey to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide claims.
Last year Dink has faced several trials under Turkey's controversial
Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301, whose vague wording has led to
charges against journalists and authors and embarrassment for Turkey.
Legal prosecutions against him were often pushed by an
ultranationalist lawyers group led by Kemal Kerincsiz, who also waged
war against a handful of prominent writers, including 2006 Nobel
winner Orhan Pamuk.
Dink's legal travails began with a column in his daily Agos in 2005
for which he was charged with "denigrating Turkishness." The
journalist was convicted in July and given a six-month suspended
prison sentence for a series of articles in which he called on
diaspora Armenians to stop focusing on the Turks and redirect their
attention to the welfare of Armenia.
The suspension was then quashed at the request of the public
prosecutor, defying an expert decision in favor of the journalist.
Dink, who said he could not stay in a country where he was unwanted,
expressing regret for some of his fellow countrymen's hatred for him,
said after the decision he won't hesitate to leave the country after
he exhausts all legal means, including the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR).
He had received countless threats from ultranationalists, both via
phone and in and around courtrooms.
Hrant Dink (1954-2007)
The following is a brief biography of Hrant Dink, who was shot dead
on Friday in Istanbul:
Dink's father was born and raised in Malatya's Gurun district and his
mother, Gulvart, in Sivas's Kangal district. After moving to Istanbul
in 1961 his parents got divorced, and Hrant and his two brothers were
accepted in an Armenian orphanage in Gedikkpasa. There, while feeling
both isolated from Turkish society and ostracized for not speaking
Armenian, he was, at the same time, raised in a way that made it
possible for him to adapt to Turkish society after leaving the
facility.
In his youth Dink was influenced by left-wing politics in Turkey and
became engaged in politics in a line similar to that of the illegal
Turkish Communist Party/Marxist-Leninist (TKP/ML). He got his name
legally changed to Firat to avoid people linking the group he was
involved with and the Armenian community, in case he was arrested.
After graduating from high school, he studied zoology at Istanbul
University. He married a woman named Rakel whom he had met at the
orphanage. Meanwhile, he became estranged from left-wing politics,
which at that time was becoming more associated with terrorism.
While working for the success of a publishing house and stationary
shop he co-founded with his brothers, he and his wife Rakel also
started to administer the Tuzla Armenian Children's Camp, a facility
for poor and abandoned children. The camp was confiscated by the
state 21 years after its establishment. During his military service
in the Denizli Infantry Regiment, he wasn't made a sergeant, unlike
his peers, and so he completed his military service with the rank of
private.
After his service Dink became began doing book reviews for Istanbul's
Armenian community newspapers, and he also was known for sending
corrections of falsehoods to other newspapers. He suggested to the
Armenian Patriarchate that a Turkish newspaper be founded, arguing
that the community was a closed one and prejudices about Armenians
could only be dispelled if only society knew them better. He was the
founder, editor in chief and chief columnist of the Agos newspaper,
which began publication on April 5, 1996. Underlining that all ethnic
communities in Turkey should live in peace and harmony, Dink also
argued in his columns that the Armenian community should have a civil
center other than the patriarchate. Calling on the Armenian diaspora
to soften their attitude and not call the incidents in 1915 a
"genocide," Dink was sentenced to six months in prison in October
2005 on charges of denigrating Turkishness.
Immediate comments
Social Democrat People's Party (SHP) leader Murat Karayalcin: The
bullet was fired at peace, fraternity and Turkey. We lost a
distinguished intellectual.
Former main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) General
Secretary and co-head of Muslim-Left movement Ertugrul Gunay: The
killing has wounded us. Dink was a valuable son and intellectual of
this country. The perpetrators oppose peace in this country.
German Ambassador to Turkey Eckart Cuntz: Dink was a staunch advocate
of the freedom of press and expression. I condemn the murder. I
believe Turkish authorities will find the perpetrators with great
determination.
Turkish Lawyers' Association head Kemal Kerincsiz: We condemn this
damnable attack, which the Turkish people should firmly reject.
Killing a person because of his ideas, no matter how extreme they
are, is not acceptable; the struggle should be done through legal
means.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: This attack was meant to damage
our stability as well as free thought and democratic principles, and
its timing is very interesting. I want to express my condolences to
his family, the press and the Turkish people. I condemn the bloody
hands behind this murder. We will do whatever possible to shed light
on the incident. All units of the state are on alert. I postponed the
Cabinet meeting and ordered all ministries to simply concentrate on
this issue. Beginning with our Armenian-origin citizens, Turkish
people will pass through this test successfully.
Foreign Ministry: We offer condolences to all press members, starting
with daily Agos staff, and to the Armenian community in Turkey as
well as Dink's relatives. We condemn this criminal attack.
Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer: I condemn this murder,
which was meant to damage the country's unity, democracy and freedom
of thought, and call everyone to use common sense.
Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu: Killing a person is
not acceptable. In my opinion this murder was meant to drive Turkey
into a corner and facilitate the passage of the genocide resolution
waiting at the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ankara Bar: We will be striving to shed light on the murder; the
state has to find the perpetrators.
Teachers' Union: These bullets, shot by people wishing to see Turkey
suffering from darkness and chaos, were aimed at Turkish democracy.
Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union (KESK) head Ismail
Hakki Tombul: This attack is an indicator of how far the discussions
over Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301 have gone.
Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu: It's not only Hrant
Dink but also the international reputation of Turkey which was shot.
This attack is a declaration by circles which have encircled Turkey
that they are tightening their grip.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer: I feel great sorrow at the killing of
Hrant Dink in front of daily Agos. I condemn this heinous attack.
Such inhumane attacks will never reach their ultimate aim. All Turks
expect the perpetrators to be found soon. I offer my condolences to
Dink's family, members of the media, and our people.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal:
The assailants did the greatest damage to Turkey. This is savagery,
it was done to damage the country. But this isn't enough to harm the
peace and tolerance in our country. I condemn this despicable attack.
EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Co-Chairman Joost Lagendijk:
I'm shocked. He was also a friend of mine and a person I appreciate.
This is a dark day for Turkey because he was a man who fought for
freedom of expression. This incident showed politicians that they can
be killed over what they say or do.
Christophe Filori, advisor to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn:
We're deeply sad. We hope the perpetrators are punished soon. Now's
not the right time to speculate on whether it was provocation.
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar: This is a truly disturbing
incident. The government should find the perpetrators at once. Those
bullets were targeted against the unity of the country.
Hrant Dink's lawyer Fethiye Cetin: He got threats; he was painted as
an enemy of Turks because of the case against him. He didn't feel
safe. Now what we feared has happened. This serves nobody. He didn't
ask for personal bodyguards, although he submitted the very last
threatening letter to the public prosecutor's office.
Hrant Dink's lawyer Erdal Dogan: He applied to the public prosecutor
of Istanbul's Sisli district because of the countless threats he got.
For two years we could see this attack coming. The Turkish judiciary
couldn't pass the test regarding his trial.
>From Dink's final column
In the beginning I wasn't worried about the investigation of me by
the Sisli public prosecutor on suspicion of "insulting Turkishness."
It wasn't the first time this had happened. I was already familiar
with such a case from Sanliurfa. I had faced three years of trials on
the same charge, as at a conference in 2002 I said that in terms of
nationality I'm not a Turk, but an Armenian and a Turkey citizen.
I didn't even know what was happening with the cases. I hadn't the
slightest interest. Lawyer friends from Sanliurfa attended hearings
of the trial in my absence.
When I went to the Sisli prosecutor to give testimony, I was quite
unconcerned. I was confident in what I had written and my intent.
When the prosecutor evaluated the entirety of my column, not only
that specific sentence (which was meaningless in isolation), I knew
he would understand that I had no intention to insult Turkishness and
the comedy would come to an end. I was quite sure that after the
investigation, there would be no charges filed.
I was full of confidence, but incredibly, charges were filed.
Still, I didn't lose my optimism.
I was so sure that, calling into a TV program one night, I told
(ultranationalist) lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, my chief accuser, not to
count his chickens too soon, as I wouldn't be sentenced in this case
and if I were, I would leave the country.
Just as an expert report of a commission of Istanbul University
scholars presented to the court said the same.
There was no reason to worry, I thought, they would realize their
mistake in this or that stage of the case.
But they didn't.
The prosecutor demanded punishment, despite the expert report.
Afterwards, the judge decided to give me six months.
Every time they made me notorious, branding me the "enemy of the
Turks."
Fascists attacked me with racist curses in the courthouse.
They assailed me with insults plastered on signs.
The threatening phone calls, letters and e-mails went on for months,
and their numbers kept growing.
Asking God to give me patience, I bore this burden while waiting for
a verdict of acquittal.
When the verdict was announced, I thought, the reality would be
revealed and these people would be ashamed of what they did.
But then the verdict was announced, and my hopes fell.
I found myself in the worst situation a person could be in.
The judge decided his verdict on behalf of the "Turkish nation," and
so "insulting Turkishness" went down on my record.
I could bear anything, but bearing this was impossible.
(Editor's note: The column continued.)
Jan 19 2007
Prominent Armenian-origin journalist Dink assassinated
The New Anatolian / Ankara
20 January 2007
Font Size: default medium large
Armenian-origin Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, well known in Turkey
and abroad for having to defend his right to free expression in
court, was killed yesterday by an unknown gunman.
Dink, 53, was shot two times in the head while leaving the
headquarters of Agos, the bilingual Turkish-Armenian daily he edited,
on Halaskargazi Caddesi, Istanbul. The assailant fired four bullets
and two hit the journalist, said eyewitnesses. The gunman, described
as an 18-year-old male wearing a white jacket and hat, is said to
have immediately fled the scene in a car waiting for him on the
street.
The police instantly cordoned off the area, while teams were ordered
to cut off all escape routes. At press time, mobile police teams were
looking for the assassin.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Aykut Cengiz Engin arrived at the
area within minutes to examine the crime scene filled with police and
passers-by, where he said the gun used was a 9mm pistol. The gunman
brought the pistol with him, said the police.
A group of people, gathering at the crime scene after Dink's body was
carried away by the police, shouted slogans condemning the murder.
Members of the group, whose affiliations are unknown, shouted,
"Hrants don't die," "United against fascism," "The murderer state
will pay for this," and "Long live the fraternity of the people." The
police detained two people from the group.
Dink was one of the most prominent and outspoken voices of Turkey's
Armenian community. His murder came at a very explosive time, when
pressure from countries in Europe, the Americas and elsewhere has
grown for Turkey to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide claims.
Last year Dink has faced several trials under Turkey's controversial
Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301, whose vague wording has led to
charges against journalists and authors and embarrassment for Turkey.
Legal prosecutions against him were often pushed by an
ultranationalist lawyers group led by Kemal Kerincsiz, who also waged
war against a handful of prominent writers, including 2006 Nobel
winner Orhan Pamuk.
Dink's legal travails began with a column in his daily Agos in 2005
for which he was charged with "denigrating Turkishness." The
journalist was convicted in July and given a six-month suspended
prison sentence for a series of articles in which he called on
diaspora Armenians to stop focusing on the Turks and redirect their
attention to the welfare of Armenia.
The suspension was then quashed at the request of the public
prosecutor, defying an expert decision in favor of the journalist.
Dink, who said he could not stay in a country where he was unwanted,
expressing regret for some of his fellow countrymen's hatred for him,
said after the decision he won't hesitate to leave the country after
he exhausts all legal means, including the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR).
He had received countless threats from ultranationalists, both via
phone and in and around courtrooms.
Hrant Dink (1954-2007)
The following is a brief biography of Hrant Dink, who was shot dead
on Friday in Istanbul:
Dink's father was born and raised in Malatya's Gurun district and his
mother, Gulvart, in Sivas's Kangal district. After moving to Istanbul
in 1961 his parents got divorced, and Hrant and his two brothers were
accepted in an Armenian orphanage in Gedikkpasa. There, while feeling
both isolated from Turkish society and ostracized for not speaking
Armenian, he was, at the same time, raised in a way that made it
possible for him to adapt to Turkish society after leaving the
facility.
In his youth Dink was influenced by left-wing politics in Turkey and
became engaged in politics in a line similar to that of the illegal
Turkish Communist Party/Marxist-Leninist (TKP/ML). He got his name
legally changed to Firat to avoid people linking the group he was
involved with and the Armenian community, in case he was arrested.
After graduating from high school, he studied zoology at Istanbul
University. He married a woman named Rakel whom he had met at the
orphanage. Meanwhile, he became estranged from left-wing politics,
which at that time was becoming more associated with terrorism.
While working for the success of a publishing house and stationary
shop he co-founded with his brothers, he and his wife Rakel also
started to administer the Tuzla Armenian Children's Camp, a facility
for poor and abandoned children. The camp was confiscated by the
state 21 years after its establishment. During his military service
in the Denizli Infantry Regiment, he wasn't made a sergeant, unlike
his peers, and so he completed his military service with the rank of
private.
After his service Dink became began doing book reviews for Istanbul's
Armenian community newspapers, and he also was known for sending
corrections of falsehoods to other newspapers. He suggested to the
Armenian Patriarchate that a Turkish newspaper be founded, arguing
that the community was a closed one and prejudices about Armenians
could only be dispelled if only society knew them better. He was the
founder, editor in chief and chief columnist of the Agos newspaper,
which began publication on April 5, 1996. Underlining that all ethnic
communities in Turkey should live in peace and harmony, Dink also
argued in his columns that the Armenian community should have a civil
center other than the patriarchate. Calling on the Armenian diaspora
to soften their attitude and not call the incidents in 1915 a
"genocide," Dink was sentenced to six months in prison in October
2005 on charges of denigrating Turkishness.
Immediate comments
Social Democrat People's Party (SHP) leader Murat Karayalcin: The
bullet was fired at peace, fraternity and Turkey. We lost a
distinguished intellectual.
Former main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) General
Secretary and co-head of Muslim-Left movement Ertugrul Gunay: The
killing has wounded us. Dink was a valuable son and intellectual of
this country. The perpetrators oppose peace in this country.
German Ambassador to Turkey Eckart Cuntz: Dink was a staunch advocate
of the freedom of press and expression. I condemn the murder. I
believe Turkish authorities will find the perpetrators with great
determination.
Turkish Lawyers' Association head Kemal Kerincsiz: We condemn this
damnable attack, which the Turkish people should firmly reject.
Killing a person because of his ideas, no matter how extreme they
are, is not acceptable; the struggle should be done through legal
means.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: This attack was meant to damage
our stability as well as free thought and democratic principles, and
its timing is very interesting. I want to express my condolences to
his family, the press and the Turkish people. I condemn the bloody
hands behind this murder. We will do whatever possible to shed light
on the incident. All units of the state are on alert. I postponed the
Cabinet meeting and ordered all ministries to simply concentrate on
this issue. Beginning with our Armenian-origin citizens, Turkish
people will pass through this test successfully.
Foreign Ministry: We offer condolences to all press members, starting
with daily Agos staff, and to the Armenian community in Turkey as
well as Dink's relatives. We condemn this criminal attack.
Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer: I condemn this murder,
which was meant to damage the country's unity, democracy and freedom
of thought, and call everyone to use common sense.
Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu: Killing a person is
not acceptable. In my opinion this murder was meant to drive Turkey
into a corner and facilitate the passage of the genocide resolution
waiting at the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ankara Bar: We will be striving to shed light on the murder; the
state has to find the perpetrators.
Teachers' Union: These bullets, shot by people wishing to see Turkey
suffering from darkness and chaos, were aimed at Turkish democracy.
Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union (KESK) head Ismail
Hakki Tombul: This attack is an indicator of how far the discussions
over Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301 have gone.
Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu: It's not only Hrant
Dink but also the international reputation of Turkey which was shot.
This attack is a declaration by circles which have encircled Turkey
that they are tightening their grip.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer: I feel great sorrow at the killing of
Hrant Dink in front of daily Agos. I condemn this heinous attack.
Such inhumane attacks will never reach their ultimate aim. All Turks
expect the perpetrators to be found soon. I offer my condolences to
Dink's family, members of the media, and our people.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal:
The assailants did the greatest damage to Turkey. This is savagery,
it was done to damage the country. But this isn't enough to harm the
peace and tolerance in our country. I condemn this despicable attack.
EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Co-Chairman Joost Lagendijk:
I'm shocked. He was also a friend of mine and a person I appreciate.
This is a dark day for Turkey because he was a man who fought for
freedom of expression. This incident showed politicians that they can
be killed over what they say or do.
Christophe Filori, advisor to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn:
We're deeply sad. We hope the perpetrators are punished soon. Now's
not the right time to speculate on whether it was provocation.
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar: This is a truly disturbing
incident. The government should find the perpetrators at once. Those
bullets were targeted against the unity of the country.
Hrant Dink's lawyer Fethiye Cetin: He got threats; he was painted as
an enemy of Turks because of the case against him. He didn't feel
safe. Now what we feared has happened. This serves nobody. He didn't
ask for personal bodyguards, although he submitted the very last
threatening letter to the public prosecutor's office.
Hrant Dink's lawyer Erdal Dogan: He applied to the public prosecutor
of Istanbul's Sisli district because of the countless threats he got.
For two years we could see this attack coming. The Turkish judiciary
couldn't pass the test regarding his trial.
>From Dink's final column
In the beginning I wasn't worried about the investigation of me by
the Sisli public prosecutor on suspicion of "insulting Turkishness."
It wasn't the first time this had happened. I was already familiar
with such a case from Sanliurfa. I had faced three years of trials on
the same charge, as at a conference in 2002 I said that in terms of
nationality I'm not a Turk, but an Armenian and a Turkey citizen.
I didn't even know what was happening with the cases. I hadn't the
slightest interest. Lawyer friends from Sanliurfa attended hearings
of the trial in my absence.
When I went to the Sisli prosecutor to give testimony, I was quite
unconcerned. I was confident in what I had written and my intent.
When the prosecutor evaluated the entirety of my column, not only
that specific sentence (which was meaningless in isolation), I knew
he would understand that I had no intention to insult Turkishness and
the comedy would come to an end. I was quite sure that after the
investigation, there would be no charges filed.
I was full of confidence, but incredibly, charges were filed.
Still, I didn't lose my optimism.
I was so sure that, calling into a TV program one night, I told
(ultranationalist) lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, my chief accuser, not to
count his chickens too soon, as I wouldn't be sentenced in this case
and if I were, I would leave the country.
Just as an expert report of a commission of Istanbul University
scholars presented to the court said the same.
There was no reason to worry, I thought, they would realize their
mistake in this or that stage of the case.
But they didn't.
The prosecutor demanded punishment, despite the expert report.
Afterwards, the judge decided to give me six months.
Every time they made me notorious, branding me the "enemy of the
Turks."
Fascists attacked me with racist curses in the courthouse.
They assailed me with insults plastered on signs.
The threatening phone calls, letters and e-mails went on for months,
and their numbers kept growing.
Asking God to give me patience, I bore this burden while waiting for
a verdict of acquittal.
When the verdict was announced, I thought, the reality would be
revealed and these people would be ashamed of what they did.
But then the verdict was announced, and my hopes fell.
I found myself in the worst situation a person could be in.
The judge decided his verdict on behalf of the "Turkish nation," and
so "insulting Turkishness" went down on my record.
I could bear anything, but bearing this was impossible.
(Editor's note: The column continued.)