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FROM THE BOSPHORUS: STRAIGHT - NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW
Hurriyet
Feb 9 2010
Turkey
The gathering of families who have lost close ones to political
assassinations at the ongoing trial of slain Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink was a strong symbolic statement pleading for
justice to be done and in a way also a clear shout for a further
step to be taken toward the attainment of a society where everyone
is equal in the eyes of the law.
A group of families whose grievous faces testified to Turkey's
tumultuous political past and present observed the latest episode in
the trial on Monday of those accused of murdering Turkish-Armenian
journalist Dink in broad daylight Jan. 19, 2007.
It was disconcerting to say the least to hear of the multiple fiascos
that took place during the 12th trial hearing. It started with allowing
suspects and witnesses to sit alongside one another during the morning
session and even hold conversations with each other.
Witness Orhan OzbaÅ~_ admitted that he sat near Ogun Samast, who is
accused of pulling the trigger. When Judge Erkan Canak asked whether
they had talked before the session, OzbaÅ~_ said, "[Samast] told me
that he has been in prison for three years and I could be put in jail
for five years too."
That was followed by the police "forgetting" to bring a secret witness
to the courthouse.
It is saddening to witness such incidents in a case that we believe
deserves to be handled properly by the relevant officials.
Of course it is not this case alone. All cases should be handled in
an appropriate manner where the principle of due process and fair
hearings are observed and the search for justice is not undermined
in any manner.
At this moment it is difficult to ascertain whether such incidents
are the result of mere incompetence or deliberate actions but in
either event justice is not being served.
The bereaved families were there to express support for Dink's wife
Rakel, to quench their burning desire to see justice served and also
to see not just the triggermen but those involved in the planning and
ordering of such political murders revealed and made to face justice.
Filiz Ali, daughter of author and journalist Sabahattin Ali, who
was murdered by unknown perpetrators in 1948, said the Dink case
represents an opportunity to find out the "deep forces within state
organs" that have played significant roles in political assassinations.
"This case should shed light on all the secrets," Ali said, reading
a joint press statement on behalf of all supporting families. "We
are all from the same family and we do not want this family to get
any bigger. We see all related public bodies as being responsible
for solving these unsolved murders."
We at the Daily News also wish that this family does not grow any
larger and hope that at the end of this trial justice, democracy and
the principle of everyone is equal under the law is upheld.
Hurriyet
Feb 9 2010
Turkey
The gathering of families who have lost close ones to political
assassinations at the ongoing trial of slain Turkish-Armenian
journalist Hrant Dink was a strong symbolic statement pleading for
justice to be done and in a way also a clear shout for a further
step to be taken toward the attainment of a society where everyone
is equal in the eyes of the law.
A group of families whose grievous faces testified to Turkey's
tumultuous political past and present observed the latest episode in
the trial on Monday of those accused of murdering Turkish-Armenian
journalist Dink in broad daylight Jan. 19, 2007.
It was disconcerting to say the least to hear of the multiple fiascos
that took place during the 12th trial hearing. It started with allowing
suspects and witnesses to sit alongside one another during the morning
session and even hold conversations with each other.
Witness Orhan OzbaÅ~_ admitted that he sat near Ogun Samast, who is
accused of pulling the trigger. When Judge Erkan Canak asked whether
they had talked before the session, OzbaÅ~_ said, "[Samast] told me
that he has been in prison for three years and I could be put in jail
for five years too."
That was followed by the police "forgetting" to bring a secret witness
to the courthouse.
It is saddening to witness such incidents in a case that we believe
deserves to be handled properly by the relevant officials.
Of course it is not this case alone. All cases should be handled in
an appropriate manner where the principle of due process and fair
hearings are observed and the search for justice is not undermined
in any manner.
At this moment it is difficult to ascertain whether such incidents
are the result of mere incompetence or deliberate actions but in
either event justice is not being served.
The bereaved families were there to express support for Dink's wife
Rakel, to quench their burning desire to see justice served and also
to see not just the triggermen but those involved in the planning and
ordering of such political murders revealed and made to face justice.
Filiz Ali, daughter of author and journalist Sabahattin Ali, who
was murdered by unknown perpetrators in 1948, said the Dink case
represents an opportunity to find out the "deep forces within state
organs" that have played significant roles in political assassinations.
"This case should shed light on all the secrets," Ali said, reading
a joint press statement on behalf of all supporting families. "We
are all from the same family and we do not want this family to get
any bigger. We see all related public bodies as being responsible
for solving these unsolved murders."
We at the Daily News also wish that this family does not grow any
larger and hope that at the end of this trial justice, democracy and
the principle of everyone is equal under the law is upheld.