Turkish court sentences former officers over Hrant Dink assassination
A Turkish court handed down prison terms to former police chiefs, gendarmerie officers and others linked to FETÖ for a cover-up related to the murder of Hrant Dink, a prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist who was shot dead in front of his Istanbul office in 2007.
A separate trial will be held for FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen and 12 other fugitive defendants including former prosecutor Zekeriya Öz, Ekrem Dumanlı and Adem Yavuz Arslan, Hurriyet Daily News reports.
A total of 76 defendants were on trial, but only six were in custody while others were released previously pending trial.
Ramazan Akyürek, former head of police intelligence, was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment on murder charges and an additional sentence of five years and seven months for destroying official documents on a charge related to the cover-up of intelligence tip-offs for murder.
Ali Fuat Yılmazer, former police chief, was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment on murder charges and an additional sentence of four years and six months for destroying official documents in a charge related to the cover-up of intelligence tip-offs for murder.
Ali Öz, former Trabzon Provincial Gendarmerie commander, was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment. Ahmet İlhan Güler, former Istanbul head of police intelligence, and Engin Dinç, former Trabzon head of police intelligence, were acquitted of “murder by negligent behavior,” and the “neglect of public office” charges against them were dropped for statute of limitations.
While Ercan Gün was sentenced to 10 years in prison for membership in an armed terrorist organization, the case in which Celalettin Cerrah, former Istanbul Police chief, was charged with neglect of public office was dropped due to the expiration of statute of limitations.
Charges against Sabri Uzun, a senior police intelligence official, were also dropped for the same reason.
Yavuz Karakaya, a petty officer who was serving for the Istanbul Gendarmerie Intelligence at that time, was sentenced to life imprisonment for “violating the Constitution” and to 12 years and six months in prison for “helping to kill deliberately.”
Muharrem Demirkale, a former soldier, was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment twice.
With the conviction that the murder was committed in line with the purposes of FETÖ, the court decided to file a criminal complaint against Ogün Samast, Erhan Tuncel, Yasin Hayal and Tuncay Uzundal on charges of “FETÖ membership.”
In addition, an arrest warrant was issued for six more defendants.
On Jan. 19, 2007, Dink was assassinated by Ogün Samast on Halaskargazi Street, a busy thoroughfare in Istanbul’s Şişli district.
Fleeing the city after the murder, Samast was caught the next day by police in the Black Sea province of Samsun.
Through deeper investigation, Turkish judicial and security authorities discovered a FETÖ connection behind the assassination.
Turkish authorities thus started a new investigation into the role in the assassination plot of senior FETÖ terror group figures, including cult leader Gülen, Öz, and former senior police officers Yılmazer and Akyürek.
According to an indictment by Istanbul prosecutors, Dink’s assassination constituted an important milestone which sparked a series of events leading to the defeated coup of July 15, 2016.
Videos
![](/cache_video/video_images/17/49315_3/ebrd.thumb-550x310.png)
Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
![](/cache_video/video_images/67/199285_3/april_24.thumb-550x310.png)
Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
![](/cache_video/video_images/67/199086_3/biden_genocide_v3.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
![](/cache_video/video_images/17/48505_3/untitled_v4.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YsUfAAHX-Bs/maxresdefault.jpg)
'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
![](/cache_video/video_images/17/48048_3/untitled.thumb-550x310.png)
Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
![](/cache_video/video_images/65/193399_3/ef.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YgKLSoO1JU4/maxresdefault.jpg)
Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GCXrePjX--E/maxresdefault.jpg)
Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
![](/cache_video/video_images/16/45838_3/un_v2.thumb-550x310.jpg)
UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rzmd7RouGrM/maxresdefault.jpg)
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oCKNREhXAoo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wVdiJ8AdQx0/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AzLOovjnkdo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/44149_3/zohrab_mnatsakanyan.thumb-550x310.png)
Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/86_V0iUxKBQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/r7h5Lu4D8Ww/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/I4vTMFuEjqs/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8EvGzTYdK5c/maxresdefault.jpg)
President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/u96OSWiG0O0/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
![](/cache_video/video_images/59/174611_3/frontline.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1G5TqYmDBew/maxresdefault.jpg)
President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/44003_3/stepanakert_1.thumb-550x310.png)
Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/43969_3/fire.thumb-550x310.png)
Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173649_3/tanks.thumb-550x310.png)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/n91BdmvGi2E/maxresdefault.jpg)
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173520_3/la.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173280_3/artsakh.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173240_3/transport_column.thumb-550x310.png)
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173229_3/abc.thumb-550x310.png)
Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173091_3/church.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173013_3/strikes.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/43777_3/mep.thumb-550x310.png)
War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/172572_3/armnews.thumb-550x310.png)
Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/43689_3/artsakh_n.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/172396_3/stepanakert.thumb-550x310.png)
Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/172248_3/video.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/171448_3/fighting.thumb-550x310.jpg)
ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/171424_3/f5f723cbfd6d50_5f723cbfd6da4.thumb-550x310.jpg)
There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/171353_3/eu_karabakh.thumb-550x310.png)
EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
-
15:20 • 24.05.21 Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
-
11:39 • 24.04.21 Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
-
09:40 • 23.04.21 Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
-
15:34 • 22.04.21 Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
-
14:09 • 21.04.21 'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
-
12:37 • 03.04.21 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
-
17:33 • 11.03.21 Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
-
17:57 • 26.01.21 Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
-
13:33 • 22.01.21 Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
-
09:42 • 29.12.20 UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
-
18:41 • 24.12.20 NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
-
13:33 • 31.10.20 Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
-
16:37 • 30.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
-
11:25 • 28.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
-
13:45 • 24.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
-
11:51 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
-
11:40 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
-
10:39 • 24.10.20 Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
-
12:41 • 23.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
-
12:16 • 23.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
-
12:02 • 22.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
-
10:35 • 22.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
-
10:51 • 17.10.20 Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
-
15:09 • 15.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
-
13:13 • 13.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
-
12:56 • 12.10.20 Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
-
12:23 • 12.10.20 Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
-
17:23 • 09.10.20 Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
-
15:53 • 09.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
-
14:11 • 09.10.20 Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
-
15:52 • 08.10.20 Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
-
10:57 • 08.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
-
14:24 • 07.10.20 War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
-
19:31 • 05.10.20 Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
-
16:17 • 04.10.20 Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
-
12:39 • 04.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
-
13:49 • 03.10.20 Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
-
10:12 • 29.09.20 ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
-
23:42 • 28.09.20 There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
-
18:45 • 28.09.20 EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
Most popular articles Today Yesterday For a week
-
Politics 14:02 • 22/07 Kamala Harris: I will do everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump With President Joe Biden opting out of the US presidential race and endorsing his Vice President as the Democrats nominee, Kamala Harris, praised his extraordinary leadership and affirmed her bid for the elections On
-
Event 12:57 • 25/07 Climate protest at Frankfurt Airport forces a temporary halt to flights Federal police said several demonstrators got into the airport in the early morning, German news agency dpa reported. The Last Generation group said six protesters cut holes in the perimeter fence and headed toward the runways on foot, bicycles and skateboards.
-
Economy 17:56 • 25/07 Ameriabank Receives 3 Awards for Excellence by Euromoney: the Best Bank, the Best Digital Bank, and the Best Bank for SMEs in Armenia for 2024 For the Best Bank for SMEs in Armenia award, the jury emphasized Ameriabank’s continued strength in financing small and mid-sized enterprises.
-
Event 13:08 • 25/07 The Renovated Ucom Sales and Service Center Opened at Komitas 60 At the renovated center, customers can access Ucom's fixed-line, mobile, and Internet services, receive expert guidance from consultants, and shop for various devices such as smartphones, headphones, smartwatches, tablets, and more.
Politics
-
10:44 • 03.07.24 Biden’s latest excuse: Blame it on the travel
Law
-
15:33 • 13.06.24 Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan: Abraham Gasparyan has been tortured
Economy
-
13:48 • 16.07.24 Ucom’s fixed network has reached Byureghavan
Event
-
18:45 • 25.07.24 Unibank and Visa are gifting a trip to Tunisia for two
-
13:08 • 25.07.24 The Renovated Ucom Sales and Service Center Opened at Komitas 60
Science/tech
-
14:18 • 08.05.24 AstraZeneca withdrawing Covid vaccine worldwide