The trial of public officials as part of Dink case continues today. The hearings will last 4 days, where Engin Dinç, the current chief of the General Directorate of Security Intelligence Department; Ahmet İlhan Güler, who was the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate Intelligence Department at the time of murder; and Faruk Sarı, who was the chief of Trabzon Security Directorate Intelligence Department at the time of murder, will present their defences.
Trial of 35 public
officials continue with the defences of the suspects. Engin Dinç,
the current chief of the General Directorate of Security Intelligence
Department; Ahmet İlhan Güler, who was the chief of Istanbul
Security Directorate Intelligence Department at the time of murder;
and Faruk Sarı, who was the chief of Trabzon Security Directorate
Intelligence Department at the time of murder, will present their
defences. All three were holding important offices in police
department before and after January 19, 2007. Engin Dinç was the
chief of Trabzon Security Directorate Intelligence Department at
time of murder and is the current chief of the General Directorate of
Security Intelligence Department. There are many documents signed by
Dinç in the file of the ongoing investigation and in case file of
the trial of public officials.
Ahmet İlhan Güler was the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate Intelligence Department at the time of murder. He was assigned to the office in 2003.
One of the most important intelligence reports concerning the plans of Dink murder was sent to Istanbul Intelligence Department from Trabzon Intelligence Department on February 17, 2006. The report states that Yasin Hayal bears hatred against Armenians and will do something to Hrant Dink no matter what. The report was signed by Ahmet İlhan Güler.
No protection measures
Hrant Dink stood trial with the charge of insulting Turkish nation, which was one of the most important processes that turned Dink into a target. In and around the courthouse, there had been protests against Dink. In the process of investigation, the intelligence department gathered information during the hearings that were held on May 15, July 4 and December 12, 2006 and the intelligence personnel followed the hearings. The reports concerning the hearings was signed by Ahmet İlhan Güler. Güler reported the information including who followed the cases, who staged protests around the courthouse and who made speeches to General Directorate of Security Intelligence Department. Ahmet İlhan Güler had been attending the meetings where events concerning Dink and Armenian people had been discussed and assessed. Celalettin Cerrah, who was the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate, said that Dink issue was discussed during these meetings.
Güler was the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate Intelligence Department, when the threats against Armenians had been increasing and the reports concerning the plans for murdering Dink had been received.
Güler, in his statement that he gave during the investigation, stated that it was written “an impactful action” in the report sent from Trabzon and they took it seriously. He also said that they hadn't been informed that Dink will be murdered.
In the indictment of the prosecution, it was stated that Güler had been knowing all the developments concerning the murder, he was responsible for organizing protection measures for Hrant Dink, but he didn't do anything. The indictment states: “He is the public official charged with willful murder by omission in Dink murder case.”
No operation against the crime organization
Engin Dinç was the chief of Trabzon Intelligence Department, when the preparations for murdering Dink had been made. He was on duty in other city during the murder. He worked as the chief of Trabzon Intelligence Department between August 26, 2004 and September 19, 2006. Lynching attempt against TAYAD (association of the families of the arrested and convicted) members, McDonald's bombing and murder of Priest Santoro happened during Dinç's time in office. Erhan Tuncel, one of perpetrators of McDonald's bombing, was excluded from the investigation and made an informant, when Dinç was in office.
Dinç signed the reports about the plans for murder that was sent to General Directorate of Security Intelligence Department and Istanbul Intelligence Department. There are differences in these reports. While the notice sent to General Directorate of Security Intelligence Department on February 15, 2006 reads “Dink will be murdered no matter what”, the notice sent to Istanbul Intelligence Department only includes “an impactful action”. The certain information concerning the murder was only included in the former report. Both reports were signed by Dinç. Engin Dinç, in his statement given to the prosecution, said that he called Güler and informed him about the murder. However, the prosecution cannot find a record of such a phone call.
The prosecution, in the indictment, pointed out the names of the people who will take part in Dink murder had been known by many people in Trabzon Security Directorate, including Engin Dinç. Dinç, in defiance to the procedures, met with Erhan Tuncel alone and during this meeting, Tuncel told him that Zeynel Abidin Yavuz will kill Dink. The prosecution stated that it is certain that Dinç had been knowing about the plans for murder, he hadn't conveyed or recorded all the information though he had certain information concerning the murder and he hadn't carried out an operation though he had the authority to do it.
Signature on the missing reports
Faruk Sarı was the chief of Trabzon Security Directorate Intelligence Department at the time of murder. He signed the notice addressed to General Directorate of Security Intelligence Department, requesting the dismissal of Erhan Tuncel, who was the only one who had been providing information about the preparation for murder in Trabzon. During the investigation, two intelligence reports were found in Trabzon Security Directorate Intelligence Department; they hadn't been sent to investigating authorities before. They are signed by Faruk Sarı as well. The prosecution, in the indictment, demand conviction for Sarı upon the charges of “being a member of an armed terrorist organization, assisting willful murder, destroying and hiding official documents and professional misconduct”.
