Ogün Samast, the Turkish nationalist who killed Hrant Dink, the Armenian intellectual of Constantinople and founding editor-in-chief of the Agos newspaper, on 19 January 2007, may soon be released from prison.
According to the Turkish news outlet T24, Samast, who was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months of imprisonment, has 1 year and 9 months remaining on his sentence. However, he may be released early on parole after 9 months.
Meanwhile, the trial of a number of high-ranking officials from the security forces in connection with Dink’s murder continues. The lawyers representing the family and interests of the Armenian intellectual of Constantinople continue to insist that the murder was premeditated, and that the law enforcement authorities, aware of the impending assassination attempt, failed to prevent it.
The next court hearing in the Dink murder case has been scheduled for 7, 8 and 9 July.
