Assassination Of Hrant Dink

[iminhokis]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L19382006.htm

 

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/19...dink/index.html

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/_newsimages/2743377.jpg

[Dave]

Journalist shot dead in Istanbul

POSTED: 1405 GMT (2205 HKT), January 19, 2007

 

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- A prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist who spoke out against the killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire early last century was shot to death Friday, according to CNN Turk.

 

Hrant Dink, 53, editor of the Armenian-Turkish language weekly Agos newspaper, was shot dead in front of the Istanbul publication as he was leaving.

 

Authorities are looking into a lead that he was shot four times by a young man who appeared to be 18 or 19 years old.

 

Described as a "well-known commentator on Armenian affairs," Dink has faced a number of cases in connection with "insulting" the Turkish state for his writings.

 

"Some of the trial hearings have been marred by violent scenes inside and outside the courtrooms, instigated by nationalist activists calling for Dink to be punished," said a profile on the Web site of Pen American Center -- the writers' group that promotes free expression.

 

Agos, an Armenian-Turkish language weekly, was established in 1996.

 

Pen's profile said that in 2005, Dink "had been charged for an article published in Agos in which he discussed the impact on present day Armenian diaspora of the killings of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by the Ottoman army in 1915-17."

 

This is a hot-button issue in the region, Pen notes.

 

Armenians and other countries regard the killings of Armenians in the early 20th century as a a genocide, a claim rejected by the Turkish government, which says Armenians and Turks were killed in civil warfare.

 

Dink was one of the most prominent voices of Turkey's shrinking Armenian community.

 

A Turkish citizen of Armenian descent, he had received threats from nationalists, who viewed him as a traitor.

 

In an earlier interview with The Associated Press, Dink had cried as he talked about some of his fellow countrymen's hatred for him, saying he could not stay in a country where he was unwanted.

 

Private NTV television said police were searching for the suspected murderer, believed to be a teenager wearing a white hat and a denim jacket, but the identity and motivation of the shooter were unknown, AP reported.

 

Dink's body could be seen covered with a white sheet in front of the newspaper's entrance. NTV said four empty shell casings were found on the ground and that he was killed by two bullets to the head.

 

Fehmi Koru, a columnist at the Yeni Safak newspaper, said the murder was aimed at destabilizing Turkey.

 

"His loss is the loss of Turkey," Koru said.

 

Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/europe/01/19/turkey.dink/story.body.jpg

 

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/europe/01/19/turkey.dink/story.gink.afp.gi.jpg

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/19/turkey.dink/

Edited January 19, 2007 by Dave

[Arpa]

Journalist shot dead in Istanbul

POSTED: 1405 GMT (2205 HKT), January 19, 2007

 

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- A prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist who spoke out against the killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire early last century was shot to death Friday, according to CNN Turk.

 

Sad. Very sad!!

 

Աստուած Հոգին Լուսավորէ

 

If one were to look for the definition of MARTYR and a saint , look no further.

A martyr is one who puts one’s life knowingly and consciously in jeopardy.

I hope his remains will be taken to Yerevan and laid to rest at the Pantheon.

Just as his kin should get the hell out of that hellhole.

 

Dear Dave. At first glance I was disappointed as to why you chose to post this shockingly sad news under the topic of Genocide. On second thought. The Genocide has never stopped. Perhaps we should create a whole new category where we can celebrate his life and works. Or, in the least move this thread and the other to "Famous Armenians".

 

Those cowardly sonofabitches!

Edited January 19, 2007 by Arpa

[neko]

Shocking.

 

I've seen other info that says that he was shot as he was just about to enter the AGOS building (CNN report says the opposite).

And that there were some protest demonstrations later in Taksim square, proclaiming "The Turkish State is the murderer".

[Dave]

Apparently, prior to the murder, he had gotten some e-mails threatening him and there was one that was particularly worrying. The police gave no attention to that when he notified them though..

[Dave]

That's precisely the reason Arpa

 

There's another thread in the Diaspora section..

[Dave]

First they say he's a criminal in Turkey, then they call the murder an "attack against the nation".

[Arpa]

That's precisely the reason Arpa

 

There's another thread in the Diaspora section..

I thought so.

However, I would still like to see this thread and the one by Iminhokis moved under another subject topic. It is no secret that I have severe allergy to that Topic of Genocide, as if that most tragically shameful era in our history is a “badge of honor”.

In a previous note I suggested that it be moved under Famous Armenians. Yes, but how about under National, not Genocide, not Diaspora. We are one nation regardless of where we live.

Read my signature below. From Sevak’s Anlreli Zangakatun, referring to the time when Komitas sang ( in Furkish)for the Catholicos and made Him cry;

Closing words of the chapter- Ղողանջ Ավետիսի.

 

Երեւի այդօր քանի դար հետո.

Երկինք ու երկիր հաշտվեցին նորից.

Երեւի այդօր քանի դար հետո...

ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ ԲԱՌԻՑ ՊՈԿՎԵՑԻՆ ԸՆԿԱՆ ՌՈՒՍԱ-ն ՈՒ ՏԱՋԿԱ-ն

[Yervant1]

First they say he's a criminal in Turkey, then they call the murder an "attack against the nation".

"K@na merir yegour sirem" This is what they are doing, politics at it's worst.

God bless his soul brave man indeed.

[AntranigBey]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_...d&printer=1

 

 

this really sucks

[Arpa]

please Moderators.

Is it possible to combine, under a subject topic of your choice, all these separate threads about this tragedy, lest we go crosseyed trying to see who has said what.

Thank you.

[Hellektor]

Is there an Armenian who still believes the most harmful, vicious, destructive virus ever, the species of filth on two legs going under the four letter word Turk (spit) will ever be civilized?

 

Is there an Armenian who will give me the shit: we are moral people not savages hence we shouldn't kill this vermin?

 

Enough is enough!

 

Exterminate them, annihilate them, eradicate them, obliterate, incinerate and evaporate this parasite that's been gnawing at our existence for a thousand years.

 

[Lev7]

Is there an Armenian who still believes the most harmful, vicious, destructive virus ever, the species of filth on two legs going under the four letter word Turk (spit) will ever be civilized?

 

Is there an Armenian who will give me the shit: we are moral people not savages hence we shouldn't kill this vermin?

 

Enough is enough!

 

Exterminate them, annihilate them, eradicate them, obliterate, incinerate and evaporate this parasite that's been gnawing at our existence for a thousand years.

 

why, go down to their level?

 

We should publicize this murder as much as we can, to show the world what animals they are

[Hellektor]

Fucing Jewish pan-Turkist propaganda:

 

Hrant Dink had been tried under Turkey's criticised freedom of expression laws, for controversial comments about an alleged Armenian genocide during World War One, which Ankara and many Turks deny occurred.

 

 

Fucking Turkish propaganda:

 

The killing prompted swift denunciation by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the attack was a "shock" and an "insult" to the Turkish nation and a "dark day" -- not only for Dink's family but for all of Turkey as well.

When are you going to learn Turk is no nation? Turk is the most worthless garbage ever produced in the history of the universe.

 

I INSULT your fucking wolfish "nation".

 

 

[Hellektor]

why, go down to their level?

 

We should publicize this murder as much as we can, to show the world what animals they are

Right now I'm as mad as a dog. I told you not to give me fucking moral lessons. Have the decency to allow me to mourn in my own way.

[Armat]

If anyone has ever visited Turkish forums and posted knows that they are lot of sick MF who can kill and believe in their sick reasonning or lack of.

I liked the guy who had the balls to voice his opinion.Rest in peace.

[Arpa]

Add his name to this Honor Roll.

http://hyeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=11693&hl=

And please! Mutafoglu, stay out of this sacredly solemn ceremony.

[Armat]

I am just pissed now.We should do all we can to pass the AG bill this year.Shove it to their throuts.

[Arpa]

Where is Soghomon?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soghomon_Tehlirian

Where are all the Tehlirians?

Note; "Soghomon" and "Suleyman" the Magnifaecis derive from the same Semitic/Aramaean-"Solomon/Salman/Zalman/Selim/Salam".

[MosJan]

Astvats Hogin Lusavori

 

 

 

amenalav turqi mer@ & manuk@ !

[MosJan]

Hrant Dink: I'm Armenian &...only A Citizen Of Turkey

http://hyeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=12...w=&st=&

[Arpa]

The entire Nation, both in the Diaspora and the Homeland should declare a period of mourning with flags at half staff. Edited January 19, 2007 by Arpa

[Aratta-Kingdom]

Did you guys noticed in the past couple of days the turks have been kind of passive...?

The barbarians have been planning the murder of Hrant Dink for some period of time.

Edited January 19, 2007 by ArmoArmeN

[MosJan]

Hrant Dink: “I just used the word ‘genocide’, which is reality”

By Gayane Mkrtchyan

ArmeniaNow reporter

In a meeting with Armenian press Tuesday, controversial Turkish journalist Hrant Dink said he will challenge his conviction for “insulting Turkish identity” in the European Court of Human Rights.

 

Dink

Dink has been sentenced by courts in Urfa and Istanbul because he has written that the 1915-18 Turkey-Armenia conflict was “genocide”. His prison sentence is conditional (meaning that he doesn’t serve prison time), stipulating that if Dink uses the word “genocide” in future articles, his sentence will be doubled and will not be conditional.

 

Dink, who is Armenian (born in Malatia, Turkey) is editor of the Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos, based in Istanbul. He was in Yerevan this week on the invitation of the Third Armenia Diaspora Conference.

 

“I have not disrespected any identity. I am not a racist. I just use the word ‘genocide’, which is a reality. So I want my identity as of an Armenian not to be disrespected either. If the European Court does not restore my rights either, I will leave Turkey. If they don’t accept me and consider me an enemy, I can’t live in that country,” says Dink.

 

The editor enflamed passions and became a cause-celebre for Genocide recognition, a year ago, when he wrote that unlike Armenians around the world who speak of the Genocide of 1915, Armenians of Turkey do not even dare to somehow commemorate their dead ancestors on April 24th.

 

(Dink is one of dozens who have been prosecuted by Turkish authorities for statements that the government finds “insulting” to Turkey. Yesterday [september 21] a court exonerated novelist Elif Shafak on such charges.)

 

“The majority in Turkey doesn’t know the truth. How can people know, when talking about it has been prohibited for 90 years?” says Dink. “The Armenian side should first teach Turks the real history and then lead a policy of Genocide recognition. There are Turks who recognize the crime committed by their compatriots. Others question if it has taken place or not.”

 

Dink, 52, said interest toward the Genocide has grown in Turkey in recent years, leading authorities to react severely, as in his case. He says Turkish school books portray Armenians as perpetrators of massacres against the Turks.

 

According to the editor, the part of the population inhabiting the territory of historical Armenia today is more informed about the Genocide. Their greater part is Armenians converted to Turks who remember the crime against their ancestors. The Kurdish insurgence in Turkey also facilitates raising the Genocide issue.

 

“The Armenian question came forward along with the Kurdish question. The Kurdish intelligentsia was the first to write about it, mentioning the participation of Kurds in the Armenian massacres,” says Dink.

 

According to the journalist, there are two ways the government of Turkey can recognize the Armenian Genocide: One is to pressure the international community (especially as Turkey is considered for European Union membership); the second is by the Turkish people themselves.

 

Dink also said part of the society has begun reflecting on the Genocide, despite obstacles by the regime.

 

“The growth of the democratization movement is accompanied by that of the nationalistic,” he said. “There are large masses of people in Turkey unwilling to see Turkey in the European Union. These people do the utmost to have Turkey appear before the international community as a ‘dark’ country. These forces are strong enough and sometimes do influence people.”

 

Dink says Turkish nationalism is conditioned by next year’s national elections.

 

Dink expressed his personal position on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the following way: “The best way is to have Turkey become a democratic country. The demand will come from the bottom and the society will recognize the Genocide without an external pressure.”

 

For related article, see http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=45569

[MosJan]

Hrant Dink Murdered: Turkish-Armenian journalist shot dead in Istanbul

By John Hughes

ArmeniaNow reporter

Hrant Dink

A popular and controversial Turkish journalist of Armenian descent, sympathetic to the cause of Armenian Genocide recognition, was shot dead in Istanbul today.

 

Hrant Dink, the editor of the Armenian-language "Agos" was shot four times while leaving his offices Friday (January 19) afternoon.

 

Dink, who had often run afoul of Turkish government policy for his editorials favoring Armenian viewpoints, was recently found guilty of "insulting Turkishness". He escaped Turkish prison on a provisional sentence, and had pledged to appeal his conviction to the European Court of Human Rights (see “I just used the word ‘genocide’, which is reality”)

 

According to reports by CNN and others, Dink was shot by a man in his late teens.

 

Dink, 53, often visited Armenia to attend journalism-related conferences. In September, he was guest of the Armenia-Diaspora Conference, where he was welcomed for his staunch defiance of Turkish law that makes it a crime to characterize Ottoman Turkey's position against early-20th century Armenians as "genocide".

 

Dink's apparent assassination comes as Turkey's application for membership in the European Union is weighed against the very prejudices that may be behind the journalist's murder. Dink himself had been an advocate of Turkey's application, but had maintained that it should admit the genocide.

 

He had recently told Istanbul officials, including the city's Vice Mayor, that he had received death threats.

 

In a press conference soon after news of Dink's death, Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan said Dink's murder was "an attack on peace and stability."

 

Speaking to CNN, journalist Andrew Finkel called Dink "a courageous man who died in a terrible way", adding that his death is a "tragedy of a whole nation which is trying to come to terms with its past".

 

ArmeniaNow will provide further details of these events as they become available.