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Hrant Dink was shot outside the offices of Agos by a teen attacker as he returned from the newspaper’s office. He died instantly. More than 100,000 people participated in his funeral march, highlighting the national outcry.
Hrant Dink’s last words/work: “Yes, I can feel myself as restless as a dove, but I know that in this country people do not touch and disturb the doves. The doves continue their lives in the middle of the cities. Yes indeed, a bit frightened but at the same time free.”
Journalist Information:
Name: Hrant Dink
Age: 52
Gender: Male
DOB: 19/09/1954
Nationality: Turkish
Last company worked for: Weekly bilingual Turkish–Armenian newspaper Agos
Family: Survived by his wife, Rakel Dink, and three children
Incident Information:
Date of incident – January 19, 2007
Location of the incident – Istanbul, Turkey
Offense victim of: Assassination
Weapons included – Gun
Suspect(s) Information:
Name: Ogün Samast
Proof of Targeting the Journalist: Hrant Dink had been a visible target because of his outspoken views on Armenian identity, the history of the 1915 massacres, and Turkish-Armenian reconciliation. He received death threats from ultranationalist Turks, and his prosecution under Article 301 repeatedly placed him at high risk. The assassination outside his workplace, following a period of targeted harassment and disregarded protection, indicates a direct attack aimed at silencing a prominent voice in minority rights and press freedom.
Reason for Killing: Hrant Dink’s journalism challenged nationalist narratives and addressed sensitive historical and minority-rights issues in Turkey. His bold commentary and legal battles made him a symbol of press freedom, and his voice was perceived as disruptive by extremist nationalist elements. His murder served both to eliminate his voice and to intimidate others engaged in similar reporting.
Progress of the Case: Extensive legal and investigative processes have taken place. On 14 February 2025, a Turkish court issued nine life sentences in a retrial related to Dink’s murder. Nevertheless, the broader investigation into state involvement and full accountability remains incomplete. Civil society and press freedom organisations continue to call for transparency and justice over institutional collusion.
Read More: https://cpj.org/data/people/hrant-dink