Trabzon’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched a preliminary investigation against the six gendarme officials, including Colonel Ali Öz, former Trabzon Gendarme Regiment Commander, for neglect in the murder of Hrant Dink.

The 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance postponed the case of Gendarme Petty Office Okan Şimşek and Gendarme Master Sergeant Veysel Şahin to February 4, 2009 in order that they can prepare their defenses.

The statements of the six gendarme officials are being asked

The Criminal Court of First Instance had cancelled the decision of the Criminal Court of Peace to have the trial for this case at the High Criminal Court. Therefore, the case had returned to the Criminal Court of First Instance of Trabzon.

The Doğan News Agency (DHA) reported that Trabzon’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office’s preparation of the indictment was still continuing and a court order was sent to the respective bases of the six officials to get their statements.

The Prosecutor’s Office will decide whether or not to file a suit against the six officials twenty two months after the murder.  

No official from Trabzon, whether police or gendarme, has faced prosecution until today.

The Inspection Committee of the Prime Ministry: There is neglect at every level

On November 12, the news channel NTV had announced the findings of the Inspection Committee of the Prime Ministry about the case.

The report had stated that both the gendarme and the police had not taken any measures to stop the murder from taking place, even though they had the intelligence about it, and had demanded an investigation about those responsible for this neglect.

The Committee had started working after Rakel Dink, murdered Hrant Dink’s wife had sent a letter to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in April 2007.

Hrant Dink’s murder case in which 19 people are on trial will continue at the 14th High Criminal Court of Istanbul on January 26, 2009. (EÖ/TB)