Ogün Samast, the convicted murderer of Armenian journalist and Agos editor Hrant Dink, told a court in Istanbul on Wednesday that he had been promised government support and protection before the assassination.
Dink, 52, the respected editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, was fatally shot outside the newspaper’s headquarters in Istanbul on 19 January 2007 by Samast, then 17, an unemployed high school drop-out. Arrested the day after the murder, Samast spent nearly 17 years in prison before his controversial release in November 2023, sparking widespread condemnation.
Following his release, a Turkish court accepted an indictment that could see him serve a further seven to twelve years in prison for acting on behalf of an armed terrorist organisation without being a member. His case was merged with that of 11 instigators and officials previously convicted in the murder case, including Yasin Hayal and Erhan Tuncel, two further suspects linked to Dink’s murder.
Testifying via video link, Samast detailed his involvement and interactions with Hayal and Tuncel, suggesting a sense of protection and impunity conveyed by Hayal’s assurances. Samast admitted that he was never introduced to any state officials, but felt pressured by Hayal’s warnings of severe consequences if he did not carry out the assassination.
On the day of the assassination, Samast recounted his realisation that he was being followed, a fact later confirmed by photographs. In a moment of panic, he turned to Hayal, who again reassured him, implying that the government’s support was assured.
Samast, who was arrested in Samsun after the attack, also recalled that the police told him to remain calm and unafraid when he was arrested, suggesting that he would be protected.
The court decided to maintain judicial control over Samast and refer the case to the prosecution for final comments. The next hearing is scheduled for 29 May. Dink’s family and legal representatives argue that real accountability remains elusive without addressing the involvement of orchestrators and state officials who may have facilitated the murder or failed to prevent it.
