19th anniversary of Hrant Dink’s assassination commemorated
Today, January 19, marks the 19th anniversary of the assassination of journalist and public figure Hrant Dink.
Dink was killed on January 19, 2007, in front of the editorial office of the “Agos” newspaper in the Sisli district of Istanbul. He was mortally wounded by three gunshots to the head.
On suspicion of committing the murder, police arrested 17-year-old Ogün Samast at a bus station in the Turkish city of Samsun, who confessed to the crime during his very first interrogation.
Dink’s assassination triggered a major public outcry in Turkey, Armenia, and many other countries worldwide. Protests involving tens of thousands and mourning marches were held in memory of the journalist.
In his “Agos” newspaper, Dink brought several sensitive topics to the agenda, including the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations, the opening of borders, the process of Turkey’s democratization, as well as the necessity for new approaches regarding the events of 1915. Dink’s murder was allegedly carried out with a motive of national hatred.