Thousands in Istanbul Mark Third Anniversary of Dink’s Murder

"Thousands gathered Tuesday at the site in Istanbul where Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was murdered three years ago, a slaying that caused a national outcry for both Turks and Armenians. The crowd, numbering around 2,000 to 3,000 according to police, braved snowfall to gather outside the offices of the Agos newspaper where Dink was editor-in-chief, chanting “The murderer state has to account for this!”, “We know the murderers, we want justice!” “As long as light is not shed on this murder, we will be here, we will not give up,” said one of the many people who addressed the crowd from the window of the Agos office from which hung a picture of the slain journalist. Several people left carnations and candles at the place where then 52-year-old Dink was killed on January 19, 2007. This year’s slogan during the commemoration was “We know the killer, we want justice.” “I am eminently enraged,” retired teacher Semra Tugcu said as she stood in the crowd. She said she was not hopeful about Dink’s murder case. “I am a Turk, but this does not mean that I am not a minority in this country,” she said. “I feel like a minority, too.”