Nobel Prize-winning writer Orhan Pamuk refused from a trip to Germany to avoid possible assassination. According to Pamuk's German publisher, the writer refused to be present at the awarding ceremony of the Free Berlin University scheduled for February 2. In Germany Pamuk will be more secure than in Turkey but he cannot run the risk of leaving his residence, observers say.

It's also reported that Pamuk was shocked by Hrant Dink's death. Like Agos newspaper editor he was accused of "insulting Turkishness" for stating that 1 million of Armenians were slaughtered in Turkey in early 20th century, reports RFE/RL.