RALLIES OF PROTEST IN TURKEY AGAINST COURT’S DECISION OVER DINK’S CASE

ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 18, 2012
YEREVAN

ISTANBUL, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS: After the verdict on the case
of Dink’s murder, hundreds of people organized a rally of protest
January 18 in the streets of Istanbul, Armenpress reports citing
Euronews. The family of Hrant Dink denounced the verdict, arguing
the murder was a political assassination.

On January 17, Yasin Hayal received a life sentence for conspiring
to kill Dink. The actual killer, Ogun Samast, was given 22 years
in July by a juvenile court. Nineteen other defendants, known to be
Turkish nationalists were acquitted of being members of a terrorist
organization.

“This process is a true disaster. Those who committed this organised
crime were dealt with as if it was just an ordinary murder,” said
a demonstrator.

Dink was known for promoting Armenian causes and his death has
triggered EU concern over Turkey’s failure to protect freedom of
expression.