July 3, 2007 - 14:51 AMT
Around thousand people gathered in front of courthouse where Hrant Dink murder case started
Around 1000 people gathered in Beşiktaş, Istanbul early in the morning near the courthouse, where the trial on the murder of Hrant Dink, Armenian-Turkish 'Agos' bilingual editor-in-chief started. They carried banners saying "We are all Armenians, "We are all Dinks," and "We are all witnesses, demand justice". Those gathered have undersigned 'the Coordination to watch the Hrant Dink case', Anatolia News Agency reports. Hrant Dink's wife, Rakel Dink saluted them as she was going to the courthouse, while the people applauded her. One of activists, Tores Dinçöz said Hrant Dink was killed, "as we were not strong enough. We gathered here to prevent the blackening of truth," Dinçöz said.

Yesterday eighteen suspects went on trial in Istanbul for the murder of Hrant Dink. Since the main culprit 17-year-old Ogun Samast is a minor, the trial is closed to the public. According to the investigation, Ogun Samast belonged to a terrorist organization. He gunned down the 53-year-old journalist in Istanbul near the editorial house of his 'Agos' newspaper.