IFEX – News from the international freedom of expression community
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UPDATE – TURKEY
6 March 2008
Suspects in journalist Hrant Dink’s murder and their lawyer removed from
court after anti-Armenian hate speeches, interference with testimony
SOURCE: IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), Istanbul
**Updates IFEX alerts on the Hrant Dink case of 13 February 2008, 15
November, 2 October, 13 July, 15 May, 2 April, 23 and 19 January 2007**
(BIANET/IFEX) – At the fourth hearing of the Hrant Dink murder trial on 25
February 2008, the court finally reacted to the intolerable behaviour of
the defendants and their lawyer, Fuat Turgut.
The fourth hearing had brought its usual share of tension, as the
defendants and Turgut continued to behave aggressively toward the Dink
family and its lawyers.
One of the attorneys representing Dink’s family, Kezban Hatemi, told court
president Erkan Canak that she was insulted by the accused gunman, O.S.,
during the hearing.
In another incident, suspect Ersin Yolcu was being cross-examined. He said
that O.S. had got on the bus from Trabzon to Istanbul by himself. However,
there has been evidence that O.S. did not go alone after all. Nevertheless,
police informant and fellow defendant Erhan Tuncel then said to Yolcu,
"Don’t talk." Yolcu then refused to answer any more questions. As a result,
Tuncel was sent out of the courtroom.
Later in the hearing, suspect Yasin Hayal tried to attack another of the
attorneys representing Dink’s family, Erdal Dogan. Hayal had become angry
when Dogan asked suspect Yasar Cihan, from the Great Union Party (BBP),
several questions on the McDonald’s bombing in Trabzon. Hayal had been
implicated in the bombing but was protected by the police.
After his attempted attack on Dogan, Hayal was taken out of the courtroom,
too.
Turgut, who is also Hayal’s defense lawyer, engaged in a stream of hate
speech, saying in front of the court just prior to the commencement of the
hearing: "Where is the horde saying ‘We are all Armenian’? May Allah unite
them all with their Hrants."
During the morning session of the hearing, he said about his client Hayal:
"My client is not a murderer, unlike the rabid Armenians." He was given a
warning to desist from such comments after that remark, but later said,
"Hrant Dink was from TIKKO (the illegal Turkish Workers and Peasants’
Liberation Army) and a registered traitor." He also said, "Those defending
Armenians are Devsirme (i.e. non-Muslims)."
Hrant Dink’s daughter, Delal Dink, finally reacted to Turgut’s taunts,
protesting to the court: "Enough! When my father was alive he was called an
enemy of the Turks and killed. I cannot stand this any longer."
The joint attorneys for the Dink family also argued that the defence
lawyers could not be allowed to engage in insults, and protested. Finally,
Judge Canak reacted, citing Article 252/F of Criminal Procedure Law, and
sent Turgut out of the courtroom.
On 2 July 2007, Turgut had also insulted the Dink family and their joint
attorneys before the first hearing began.
For further information contact Nadire Mater at BIANET, Faikpasa Yokusu,
No. 41, Antikhane, Kat: 3, D.8-9, Cukurcuma, Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey,
tel: +90 212 251 1503, fax: +90 212 251 1609, e-mail: [email protected],
Internet:
The information contained in this update is the sole responsibility of
BIANET. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
BIANET.
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