Outcome of Dink's murder case is hazy, says Turkologist

In a press conference today, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan told journalists that he possessed a report prepared by the lawyers who investigated the circumstances of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink's assassination.

Introducing some details of the report, he stressed the lawyers' finding that the case has to be studied in its integrity, including the preparation of Dink's murder, the fact of killing his and the subsequent developments.

"They are arriving at the conclusion that no objective findings can be anticipated otherwise. But the Turkish judiciary is now attempting to separate all those phases," he said.

Besides, as a result of the investigation it turned out that Turkish state bodies (police, prosecutor's office and Security Service) did not collaborate or exchange information on the matter.

"They concealed information from one another, thus preventing the case from being disclosed," Mr. Melkonyan added.
As long as the same people continue holding their posts, the future of the case will remain hazy.

"Dink's murderer was recognized as a hero by the Turkish authorities. He was granted privileges in prison and even got married," the expert said.

The last blow, according to him, was the decision to convict the perpetrator as a minor, which means reducing his prison term for minimum 5 years.

"He will not face a life sentence. Some time in future he will be released, joining the ranks of Turkey's national heroes," the speaker stressed, adding that murders committed by minors are widely practiced in Turkey.

"Given such process of court procedures, the disclosure of Dink's murder is out of the question," the expert concluded.