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TRANSPARENCY DEMAND AT DINK TRIAL
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/ 7240773.stm
2008/02/12 12:49:24 GMT
Turkish and European lawmakers have called for transparency in the
trial of 19 people accused of murdering Turkish- Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink in 2007.
A statement by eight MPs, as well as lawyers and academics, demands
a full investigation into claims that security officials colluded in
Mr Dink's murder.
The statement came as a court in Istanbul convened for the third
hearing in the case that shocked the nation.
Among the 19 defendants is a teenager accused of carrying out the
killing.
The trial, which began in July, is being held behind closed doors
because the alleged gunman, Ogun Samast, is 17 years old.
Mr Dink campaigned for his country to confront the mass killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I.
'Ultimate test'
Dozens of riot police were on duty as the latest court hearing in
the murder of one of Turkey's most prominent journalists resumed on
Monday, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says.
It's clear that police officers and security services knew about these
plans of these guys but they didn't act Joost Lagendijk, Dutch MEP
Outside the court, supporters read the statement signed by the MPs
and lawyers who believed the real forces behind Mr Dink's killing
were still at large.
They demanded a full investigation into evidence that security
officials colluded in his murder, calling that the ultimate test of
Turkey's democracy and the rule of law.
"It's clear that police officers and security services knew about these
plans of these guys but they didn't act," Dutch MEP Joost Lagendijk,
who was present in the courtroom, told the BBC.
"Or some of them were probably actively involved in making the
planning. All of these things should be dealt with in this court case,
and if it doesn't happen it will leave a very dirty stain on Turkey's
image," Mr Lagendijk said.
He also called on Turkey to move quickly to amend the controversial
Article 301 of the penal code on insulting Turkishness.
Many believe Mr Dink's trial on this charge singled him out as a
target for nationalists, our correspondent says.
Mr Dink's supporters also hope that last month's arrest of a suspected
ultra-nationalist gang with alleged links to the security forces
might help uncover those who plotted to kill the journalist, she adds.
From: Baghdasarian
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/ 7240773.stm
2008/02/12 12:49:24 GMT
Turkish and European lawmakers have called for transparency in the
trial of 19 people accused of murdering Turkish- Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink in 2007.
A statement by eight MPs, as well as lawyers and academics, demands
a full investigation into claims that security officials colluded in
Mr Dink's murder.
The statement came as a court in Istanbul convened for the third
hearing in the case that shocked the nation.
Among the 19 defendants is a teenager accused of carrying out the
killing.
The trial, which began in July, is being held behind closed doors
because the alleged gunman, Ogun Samast, is 17 years old.
Mr Dink campaigned for his country to confront the mass killings of
Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I.
'Ultimate test'
Dozens of riot police were on duty as the latest court hearing in
the murder of one of Turkey's most prominent journalists resumed on
Monday, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says.
It's clear that police officers and security services knew about these
plans of these guys but they didn't act Joost Lagendijk, Dutch MEP
Outside the court, supporters read the statement signed by the MPs
and lawyers who believed the real forces behind Mr Dink's killing
were still at large.
They demanded a full investigation into evidence that security
officials colluded in his murder, calling that the ultimate test of
Turkey's democracy and the rule of law.
"It's clear that police officers and security services knew about these
plans of these guys but they didn't act," Dutch MEP Joost Lagendijk,
who was present in the courtroom, told the BBC.
"Or some of them were probably actively involved in making the
planning. All of these things should be dealt with in this court case,
and if it doesn't happen it will leave a very dirty stain on Turkey's
image," Mr Lagendijk said.
He also called on Turkey to move quickly to amend the controversial
Article 301 of the penal code on insulting Turkishness.
Many believe Mr Dink's trial on this charge singled him out as a
target for nationalists, our correspondent says.
Mr Dink's supporters also hope that last month's arrest of a suspected
ultra-nationalist gang with alleged links to the security forces
might help uncover those who plotted to kill the journalist, she adds.
From: Baghdasarian