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Outrage in Turkey over Dink`s Murder Suspect Video

The Turkish government began investigating police officers, who posed for pictures with the 17-year-old murderer of the Turkish-Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink. Dink, who was 52-years-old, was shot to death while exiting the offices of the newspaper he wrote for, in Istanbul. Dink was a controversial figure in Turkey, one the one hand he called for the ending of hostilities between Turks and Armenians and on the other hand he called for the acknowledgment of the genocide against the Armenian people, which many Turkish nationals feel to be an attack on Turkish national pride.

Since the murder took place the Turkish police has drawn much criticism for its failure in stopping the murder. Papers in the country have reported the police got information about the plot to kill Dink in the beginning of last year, yet the Istanbul police was unable to stop the plot from unfolding.

The criticism mounted as leading Turkish broadcasting networks broadcasted video footage of the arrest of Ogun Samast, who admitted to committing the murder. The video footage shows Samast looking at the camera, with a Turkish flag behind him and another flag in his hands. Around him several police officers stood crowded smiling to the camera. From the reports in the local press, this strengthens the belief that the police held Samast to be a national hero. A spokesperson fro the Turkish police said that the investigators will look into the footage taken and find out who took it and why. He added that the police will do all in its power to punish those responsible.