Hurriyet, Turkey
Dec 1 2012
Ombudsman under fire for his verdict on Dink
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
Pressure is mounting for Turkey’s newly elected first ombudsman to
resign amid criticism from the family of slain Turkish journalist of
Armenian origin Hrant Dink.
Mehmet Ã-meroÄ?lu, a retired member of the Supreme Court of Appeals, is
under pressure for his role in an appeals court verdict. He was one of
the judges who approved the late Dink’s sentence under Article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code, which outlaws `publicly insulting the Turkish
nation,’ in July 2006.
Dink was assassinated on Jan. 19, 2007, after a long prosecution
process on the grounds of Article 301, which was changed by the
Turkish Parliament after his assassination.
Dink’s brother Hosof Dink said the appeals court verdict was the late
journalist’s death sentence. `Instead of calling those who gave this
verdict to account, they are rewarded,’ he said.
Ã-meroÄ?lu was elected by Parliament as Turkey’s first chief ombudsman
on Nov. 27.
The retired judge responded to the criticisms about the controversial
Dink verdict, saying he was not even aware that the name in that case
was `Hrant’ since it was written as `Fırat,’ Dink’s official name in
the registered documents, according to a daily Radikal report on Nov
30.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) also called for
Ã-meroÄ?lu’s resignation. `Under these circumstances, we can say the
ombudsman body in Turkey was stillborn,’ CHP deputy Atilla Kart said
Nov. 30.
December/01/2012
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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