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ECHR CONVICTS TURKEY IN HRANT DINK CASE - PM ERDOGAN PROTECTS MIT
BIAnet.org
http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/124335-echr-convicts-turkey-in-hrant-dink-case---pm-erdogan-protects-mit
Aug 24 2010
Turkey
The family of Hrant Dink, killed Turkish-Armenian journalist, won their
case at the European Court of Human Rights. PM Erdogan on the other
hand refused permission for an investigation into alleged negligence
of MIT members related to the murder.
Tolga KORKUT - Burcin BELGE Strasbourg - Ankara - BÄ°A News Center24
August 2010, Tuesday The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
convicted Turkey in the case concerned with the files of Hrant Dink.
The Turkish-Armenian journalist was assassinated on 19 January 2007
in Istanbul.
According to news obtained by bianet, the ECHR chamber decided for
a violation of the right to life because Turkey did not prevent
the murder of the journalist and did not carry out an effective
investigation afterwards. One of the files tried in the scope of this
case was related to the punishment handed down to Dink prior to his
death based on Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Law which bans
"insults" to the Turkish state. The ECHR saw a violation of freedom
of expression in the sentence.
In the defence recently submitted by Turkey to the Strasbourg court,
Dink was compared to a Nazi leader and he was accused of publishing
"hate speeches". Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Justice Minister
Sadullah Ergin had both distanced themselves from the defence.
After the defence made the headlines, President Abdullah Gul admitted
that Dink died because the necessary precautions had not been taken.
Subsequently, he invited Hosrof Dink, brother of the killed journalist,
to a meeting on 20 August.
The court decision is expected to be announced in September after
the reasoning will have been prepared.
If Turkey should appeal, the ECHR Great Chamber will give the final
decision.
Prime Minister protects MIT At the same time, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the request of the Istanbul Chief Prosecution
to launch an investigation into alleged negligence of members of the
National Intelligence Service (MIT) related to the Hrant Dink murder.
As reported by Radikal newspaper, the Prime Ministry replied in writing
to the Prosecution, saying that they would not issue permission for
an investigation about the MIT members, whose lowest rank is that of
a Head of Operations.
"We have no information, no documents" The Prime Ministry had forwarded
the request of the prosecution to the MIT Undersecretary and had asked
for their opinion on the matter. In the response of MIT it was said,
"We have no information and no documents about the Hrant Dink murder".
President Erdogan had the prosecutor's request reviewed by the Prime
Ministry Law Undersecretary. While one of the experts apparently
said the investigation should be permitted, another one spoke out
against it.
In a final evaluation, permission was not issued for a probe into
the MIT members.
No permission for Atasagun either Previously, Prime Minister Erdogan
had also declined permission for an investigation requested by the
Ankara Public Chief Prosecution into alleged connections of MIT
Undersecretary Å~^enkal Atasagun to the preparation of the Ergenekon
Scheme. Erdogan said that Atasagun fulfilled his duty and decided
that there was no reason for a further investigation. (TK/BB/VK)
From: A. Papazian
BIAnet.org
http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/124335-echr-convicts-turkey-in-hrant-dink-case---pm-erdogan-protects-mit
Aug 24 2010
Turkey
The family of Hrant Dink, killed Turkish-Armenian journalist, won their
case at the European Court of Human Rights. PM Erdogan on the other
hand refused permission for an investigation into alleged negligence
of MIT members related to the murder.
Tolga KORKUT - Burcin BELGE Strasbourg - Ankara - BÄ°A News Center24
August 2010, Tuesday The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
convicted Turkey in the case concerned with the files of Hrant Dink.
The Turkish-Armenian journalist was assassinated on 19 January 2007
in Istanbul.
According to news obtained by bianet, the ECHR chamber decided for
a violation of the right to life because Turkey did not prevent
the murder of the journalist and did not carry out an effective
investigation afterwards. One of the files tried in the scope of this
case was related to the punishment handed down to Dink prior to his
death based on Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Law which bans
"insults" to the Turkish state. The ECHR saw a violation of freedom
of expression in the sentence.
In the defence recently submitted by Turkey to the Strasbourg court,
Dink was compared to a Nazi leader and he was accused of publishing
"hate speeches". Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Justice Minister
Sadullah Ergin had both distanced themselves from the defence.
After the defence made the headlines, President Abdullah Gul admitted
that Dink died because the necessary precautions had not been taken.
Subsequently, he invited Hosrof Dink, brother of the killed journalist,
to a meeting on 20 August.
The court decision is expected to be announced in September after
the reasoning will have been prepared.
If Turkey should appeal, the ECHR Great Chamber will give the final
decision.
Prime Minister protects MIT At the same time, Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the request of the Istanbul Chief Prosecution
to launch an investigation into alleged negligence of members of the
National Intelligence Service (MIT) related to the Hrant Dink murder.
As reported by Radikal newspaper, the Prime Ministry replied in writing
to the Prosecution, saying that they would not issue permission for
an investigation about the MIT members, whose lowest rank is that of
a Head of Operations.
"We have no information, no documents" The Prime Ministry had forwarded
the request of the prosecution to the MIT Undersecretary and had asked
for their opinion on the matter. In the response of MIT it was said,
"We have no information and no documents about the Hrant Dink murder".
President Erdogan had the prosecutor's request reviewed by the Prime
Ministry Law Undersecretary. While one of the experts apparently
said the investigation should be permitted, another one spoke out
against it.
In a final evaluation, permission was not issued for a probe into
the MIT members.
No permission for Atasagun either Previously, Prime Minister Erdogan
had also declined permission for an investigation requested by the
Ankara Public Chief Prosecution into alleged connections of MIT
Undersecretary Å~^enkal Atasagun to the preparation of the Ergenekon
Scheme. Erdogan said that Atasagun fulfilled his duty and decided
that there was no reason for a further investigation. (TK/BB/VK)
From: A. Papazian