/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On January 23 a mass rally took place in Freedom Square in Yerevan, near State Theatre of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiarian in memory of ‘Agos’ weekly editor Hrant Dink. The rally was organized by Yerevan City Council with the assistance of political and non-governmental organizations. Members of Armenian National Assembly, as well as Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires vice-Ambassador Anthony F. Godfrey, representatives of Armenian Apostolic Church, international and local non-governmental organizations attended the rally.

The rally was opened by funeral prayer. Some 4-6 thousand people were present, who carried Hrant Dink’s photos and banners reading “Turkey, Is This Your Way to Europe?” One big photo from Hrant Dink was placed in front of State Theatre, where the participants laid flowers and brought burning candles. One more Dink’s photo was placed on the stage of Opera Theatre. Anyone one who wishes can bring flowers and candles during this whole day.

U.S. vice-Ambassador Anthony Godfrey stated to the journalists that the United States is shocked by the assassination. Expressing deep sympathy to the family and friends of Hrant Dink, as well as to the whole Armenian nation, nevertheless, Anthony Godfrey expressed hope that even by his tragic death the Armenian Turkish journalist will make a great contribution to the unsealing of the Armenian-Turkish border, for which he was fighting his whole life. Answering the question if Hrant Dink’s death could stimulate the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Anthony Godfrey stressed that this issue currently is being discussed in the U.S. Congress. “But the most important thing today is the unsealing of the Armenian-Turkish border and launching dialog between Armenia and Turkey. We are very sorry for what happened,” stated the vice-ambassador.

On January 25 a mourning march is scheduled from Shahumian Square till ‘Tsitsernakaberd’, the memorial complex to the victims of 1915 genocide in Ottoman Empire. The participants will lay flowers to the Eternal Fire in memory of Hrant Dink, IA Regnum reports.