Minister admits delay in Hrant Dink murder probe

Turkish Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri I??k admitted that the investigation into the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalistHrant Dink had been delayed, and blamed the "parallel state" for the delay.

"We accept that there has been a delay [in prosecuting the murder of Dink] because of the attempts of the Parallel State Structure to shadow the probe," I??k responding to questions in the parliament on Jan. 19, the ninth anniversary of the prominent journalist's assasination.

Dink, an outspoken activist for minority rights and former editor-in-chief of weekly Agos, was shot dead outside his office in Istanbul's ?i?li district on Jan. 19, 2007 by 17-year-old Ogün Samast, who had traveled to Istanbul from the Black Sea province of Trabzon before the murder.

"I underline that no cause can legitimize any attempt on someone's life. This incident is being worked on with all details," said I??k. 

"But nothing remains secret. If we had thought different, we would not make that much effort to investigate all details of this incident and we would not give complete support to the judiciary. At the moment, we want and hope that all related institutions will work effectively in enlightening this incident as well as other unsolved murder incidents," he added. 

I??k also added that he wanted to see the instigators of Dink's murder found and brought to face justice.
Relatives and followers of the case have long claimed that government officials, police, military personnel and members of the National Intelligence Agency (M?T) played a role in Dink's murder by neglecting their duty to protect the journalist.

On Dec. 9, 2015, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office approved the indictment prepared against 26...