26 former police officers face trial in Hrant Dink murder

A total of 26 former police officers may face trial as the indictment in the nine-year-long investigation into negligence by public officials in the assassination of prominent Armenian-Turkish journalistHrant Dink has been approved by an Istanbul prosecutor's office, daily Hürriyet has reported.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on Dec. 9 approved the indictment prepared against 26 former officers, including police chiefs, into "negligence on public duty" in the shooting death of Dink, the editor-in-chief of weekly Agos, who was shot dead outside his office in Istanbul's ?i?li district on Jan. 19, 2007.

The indictment prepared by prosecutor Gökalp Kökçü was presented to the Istanbul 14th Court for Serious Crimes after it had been rejected by deputy chief prosecutor Orhan Kap?c? twice.

The 26 former police officers could be tried on "negligence of public duty" charges if the court recognizes the indictment. The court is expected to announce its decision within 15 days.

Individuals facing prison sentences on charges of "forming and heading a terrorist organization" were among the 26 suspects.

Having been rejected twice before, lawyers representing the Dink family expressed the reaction against the indictment in the investigation returning to Kökçü. The return means that cases will likely not be opened against the suspects.

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office returned the indictment to Kökçü in early November, arguing that "evidence of voluntary manslaughter concerning some of the suspects was not revealed."

However, Hakan Bak?rc?o?lu, a Dink family lawyer, said on Nov. 4 that not opening a case against former police chiefs Ahmet ?lhan Güler, Celalettin Cerrah, Re?at Altay, Engin Dinç and...