Turkish-Armenian Journalist Shot Dead

Hrant Dink Spoke Out About Mass Killings Of Armenians By Turks A Century Ago

(CBS/AP)  A journalist who faced constant threats and protests as one of the most prominent voices of Turkey's shrinking Armenian community was shot to death Friday at the entrance to his newspaper's offices, police said.

Hrant Dink, a 53-year-old Turkish citizen of Armenian descent, had gone on trial numerous times for speaking out about the mass killings of Armenians by Turks at the beginning of the 20th century. He had also received threats from nationalists, who viewed him as a traitor.

In October 2005, he was convicted of trying to influence the judiciary after the bilingual Turkish-Armenian newspaper he edited, Agos, ran stories criticizing a law making it a crime to insult Turkey, the Turkish government or the Turkish national character.

He was given a six-month suspended sentence.

The conviction was rare even in a country where trials of journalists, academics and writers have become common. Most of the cases, including that of the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk, were either dropped on a technicality or led to acquittals.

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

"I'm living together with Turks in this country," Dink told the AP. "I don't think I could live with an identity of having insulted them in this country ... if I am unable to come up with a positive result, it will be honorable for me to leave this country."

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Dink's death as an attack against Turkey's unity and promised to catch those responsible.

Erdogan said two suspects had been arrested, but offered no details.

"Once again, dark hands have chosen our country and spilled blood in Istanbul to achieve their dark goals," Erdogan said at a news conference.

The prime minister said he had assigned top officials from the Justice Ministry to the case and that they were on their way to Istanbul from the capital, Ankara.

Can Dundar, Dink's friend and fellow journalist, said he wished Dink had left the country as he once promised he would in the face of the threats, protests and legal proceedings against him.

"Hrant's body is lying on the ground as if those bullets were fired at Turkey," Dundar told private NTV television.

Turkey's relationship with its Armenian community is fraught with tension and painful memories of a brutal past. Much of Turkey's once-sizeable Armenian population was killed or driven out of the country from 1915-1923 in what an increasing number of countries are recognizing as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey acknowledges that large numbers of Armenians died but vehemently denies it was genocide, saying the overall figure is inflated and the deaths occurred in the civil unrest during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey, which is overwhelmingly Muslim, and Armenia, which claims to be the first country to official adopt Christianity, share a border, but it is closed and the two countries have no formal diplomatic relations.

Dink's body was 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.

Workers at the newspaper, including Dink's brother, who has also been put on trial in Turkey, wept and consoled each other near his body.

Fehmi Koru, a columnist at the Yeni Safak newspaper, said Dink's slaying was aimed at destabilizing Turkey. "His loss is the loss of Turkey," Koru said.

Dink had complained in a letter that he received no responses even after complaining to authorities about threats of violence made to him, NTV reported.

A colleague at Dink's newspaper, Aydin Engin, said Dink had attributed the threats to elements in the "deep state," a Turkish term that implies shadowy, deeply nationalist and powerful elements in the government.

[lalik-2009]

I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE TO A FELLOW TURK. WHO BELIVES, IT IS JUSTIFIABLE TO KILL A JURNALIST FOR HIS BELIVES, BECAUSE ARMENIANS KILLED TURKISH DIPLOMATES IN THE PAST. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANY KIND OF KILLING IS WRONG, BUT JURNALIST AND DIPLOMATE ARE DIFFERENT IN THE NATURE OF THEIR WORK. ONE IS SPEAKING AND FIGHTING FOR THE TROUTH, AND THE OTHER IS DENIYING THE TROUTH. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

HERE IS MY THOUGHTS IN THIS ISSUE.

YOU NEED TO GET EDUCATED. I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU. YOU ARE NERROW MINDED.

HRAND DINK DIED FOR HIS BELIVES. HE FOUGHT FOR THE FREEDOM OF SPEACH AND EQUALITY IN TURKEY. HE FOUGHT FOR THE TURKEY%u2019S PROSPERITY. HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU. FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO BE FREE AND TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES FREELY. HE WAS TURKISH PEOPLES MARTIN LUTER KING. YOU NEED TO PUT HIM ON THE PEDESTOL. HE SHOULD BE YOUR HERO. HIS DREEM WAS TO SEE TURKEY CIVILISED EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER. HE HAPPEND TO BE AN ARMENIAN WHO BELIVED PEACEFULL DEMOCRATIC WAY OF SOLVING PROBLEMS. HE WAS A TRUE TURKISH CITISIN. HIS HART BLEEDED FOR TURKEYS HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES. HE IS A HERO. YOU WILL SEE TURKS WILL PLACE HIS STATUE AND HONER HIM AS A HERO FOR SPEAKING OUT FOR THEM. SOMETHING THAT YOU AS TURK COULDNOT DO FOR YOURSELFES.

[altinkanat]

He was a human,a friend and a man as man.He was anti-racist.Therefore now in Istanbul and other cities of Turkey angery crowds chanted "All we are Hrant DINK,all we are Armeniens".This is greatest reply against killers and all racists.
Daily BIRGUN wrote greatest punto "They are killed our brother".
Today I went his home in Bakirkoy,Istanbul and wrote same my thought to his memorial register.Now there is 30 , 40 , 70 million Armeniens in Turkey.

[kmay92]

This is a real tragedy. The lack of progress of humanity in Turkey is hurting all of its citizens. As an American who visits Turkey I am deeply hurt to hear of more bloodshedding occuring by the Turks on the Armenians. I believe the Armenians are LONG overdue for the recognition of the Genocide, something that Hrant Dink always wrote about. All genocides are tragic, yet at least in the Holocaust, Germany cooperated in admitting all crimes commited against humanity, therefore the Jewish people can rest assured that the souls of those who perished in their genocide has been acknowledged. Unfortunately this is not the case for the Armenians. The Armenian people cannot have peace of mind in knowing their 1.5 ancestors have had proper acknowledment and respect. On the contrary, those like Hrant Dink who fight peacefully for recognition, get shot. Turkey is a truely backward nation. I regret to admit this, but it is true. No wonder a country such as this does not have the privelage to be admitted into the EU. I think it is time for the Turkish nation to broaden its mindset, and welcome the 21st century by implementing progressive laws, not enforcing legislation like 301. WAKE UP TURKS! AND WELCOME TO A MODERN WAY OF LIVING!

[kmay92]

This is a real tragedy. The lack of progress of humanity in Turkey is hurting all of its citizens. As an American who visits Turkey I am deeply hurt to hear of more bloodshedding occuring by the Turks on the Armenians. I believe the Armenians are LONG overdue for the recognition of the Genocide, something that Hrant Dink always wrote about. All genocides are tragic, yet at least in the Holocaust, Germany cooperated in admitting all crimes commited against humanity, therefore the Jewish people can rest assured that the souls of those who perished in their genocide has been acknowledged. Unfortunately this is not the case for the Armenians. The Armenian people cannot have peace of mind in knowing their 1.5 ancestors have had proper acknowledment and respect. On the contrary, those like Hrant Dink who fight peacefully for recognition, get shot. Turkey is a truely backward nation. I regret to admit this, but it is true. No wonder a country such as this does not have the privelage to be admitted into the EU. I think it is time for the Turkish nation to broaden its mindset, and welcome the 21st century by implementing progressive laws, not enforcing legislation like 301. WAKE UP TURKS! AND WELCOME TO A MODERN WAY OF LIVING!

[jantenwolt]

As a foreigner living in Turkey I would like to give an inside view.
That Dink has been killed in this way should come as no surprise. We must ask our selves why that is so. The majority of the people here are taught skewed versions of certain events. One is world history and the second is the issue of religion. Because of this some very narrow mind sets develop. The majority of this countries people are peace loving. I have visited 26 countries on this globe but have found non as hospitable as the Turks. They are passionate about things that we as westerners cannot understand. The concept of honor and shame run deep through every aspect of its culture. Therefore when the words %u2018Armenian genocide%u2019 are mentioned you get a strong reaction. Remember this people have been taught that the genocide did not take place. To claim that it did touches at the very heart of their identity, belief and honor. Can we judge this nation for what it did? There are many countries around the world that deny their past vehemently. Others like Germany have owned up to their mistakes and moved on. It is at this point that there is a key. Obviously turkey as a nation must be given the chance to come to terms with its past. Therefore my challenge to you is this. First deal with your own mistakes. Secondly help in dealing with your own communities%u2019 shortcomings. Lastly, by building strong relationships with Turks, help them deal with their issues. Don%u2019t get the order wrong way around!

[buraks-2009]

What a shame that you Armenian's keep calling it a "genocide" when the Turkish government challenged you to take your claims to the International Tribunals Court to prove your accusations. How shameful of you that you have absolutely no "proof" of a genocide. Is this why you cannot get your claim warranted in any country other than the ones that the Armenian Lobby owns already. Shame on you .. for accusation with out solid proof , and for using photos of butchered Turks as if they were Armenians during your back stabbing of the Turkish people. Do not forget the women and children your so called "militias" (murder squads) butchered. Shame on you!

[rafcony]

What a shame CBS
It is not enough that the genocide is being denied
It is not enough that Turkey exterminated 1.5 million Armenians which the United States fails to recognise (they dont want to upset Turkey)
It is not enough that Israel and its powerful lobby in the US is the bigest supporter and protector of Turkey's deniels in Washington.
(A nation that wants the world NEVER TO FORGET)
Now our dear CBS shmelessly writes :
Armenians claim to be the first nation to adopt christianity. Claim to be????????????
Now you are starting to rewrite history too?
What a shame............
RafcoNY

[saruc_a]

I am a turkish and i know that we have been living togather for ages.I am soo sorry also our nation is soo sorry for Mr. Dink.
during the ww1 millions has death. on the east of turkey, Armenian was at war with turkis who are living togather in peace fo ages, cause of imperialist states. so the goverment during WW1 forced to migrate Armenians... But it is too wrong to connect th%u0131s even w%u0131th %u0131slam and muslims. It was a politic mistake an both of the leaders was responsible from this.
We must look at this a historic event and find a way out this problem with history not politic.

[windycity923]

Hrant Dink was an accomplished journalist and an enlightened leader. He had the best interests of the Turkish Armenian community in his heart. That said, his death has nothing to do with what happened in 1915. We need to learn to judge the news based on facts rather than pre-conceived agendas. br br Unfortunately, this horrible crime happened in a country where multiple internal and external parties are trying to destabilize a secular democracy and turn it into their own religious war. Turkey is a beacon for what needs to happen in other Muslim countries, and sadly that is not good news for anyone chasing a holy war - regardless which religion they belong to.

[calijon]

I'm Armenian myself and this is real painful to read but we shouldnt be judging all Muslims based on this. What I really hate is how their government lies about how they care and how personally they take this but yet they didnt give a *** about police reports of threat that he sent in.
Armenia is a very small country that isn't doing very well, ontop of commiting the genocide they have still blocked the borders making it even harder on us. I live in the United States and I still can't belive that the US denys the word genocide as well. Its examples like this that are set that lead people not to care about whats going on in other countries like Darfur. I guess as long as you dont have political connections none of it matters.