Hrant Dink was killed in Istanbul just before he was entering the AGOS newpaper building in Sisli area, today, 19th January 2007

"Our dearest friend , our brother , the editor in chief of AGOS newspaper Hrant Dink has been assasinated ruthlessly. There are no words to explain our pain. Our deepest condolences for those who can still feel themselves as human beings.

AGOS Members


I learned with pain today the shocking news of the murder of Hrant Dink, journalist, editor of Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos:

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) - Journalist Hrant Dink, one of the most prominent voices of Turkey’s shrinking Armenian community, was killed by a gunman 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.

Armenians all over the world mourn, as Amnesty International Condemns Murder of Hrant Dink

"This horrifying assassination silences one of Turkey's bravest human rights defenders," said Maureen Greenwood-Basken, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia. "Writers put their lives on the line when they cover human rights violations, as the cases of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, and now Hrant Dink, brutally illustrate.

"But legitimate debate about ideas must be protected. The Turkish government must redouble its efforts to protect human rights defenders and open its political climate to a range of views. Recent legal reforms have brought many areas of Turkish law in line with international human rights standards, but existing limitations on free speech such as Article 301 must be repealed.

Other News Sources: BBC: Turkish-Armenian writer shot dead ArmeniaNow: Hrant Dink Murdered: Turkish-Armenian journalist shot dead in Istanbul A1plus: “DISGUSTING CRIME” ; OSCE APPALLED BY MURDER OF HRANT DINK iArarat: Armenian Journalist Hrant Dink Murdered in Turkey Oneworld Multimedia: Hrant Dink Shot Dead in Istanbul