Columnist Adem Yavuz Arslan, Ankara correspondent for the Bugün ('Today') newspaper, was threatened by means of a parcel sent to his office less than two weeks after the release of his book on the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Arslan is the author of the book "An Armenian: The Hrant Dink Operation Codes" that deals with the murder of Dink, then Editor-in-Chief of the Armenian Agos newspaper, on 19 January 2007. The book revealed new facts about the murder.

On 26 January, a parcel was sent to the journalist's office which is located on the premises of the Kanaltürk television representation in Ankara. The parcel contained several bullets for an automatic Kalashnikov rifle and a white beret, it was announced.

Arslan said that he was being threatened on the phone ever since his book had been published less than two weeks ago. With this incident, the dimensions of the threat assumed increased proportions, he claimed. Hence, the author requested protection from the police.

One piece of information disclosed in the book was the statement that Non-Commissioned Officer Satılmış Şahin was just 500 meters away from triggerman suspect Ogün Samast on the day of the incident. It was said in the book that Şahin and Samast lived in the same neighbourhood.

The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) called on the officials to find the source of the threats against Arslan. "We remind that everybody who wants more democracy in Turkey has to care for freedom of the press and for the right of the people to obtain truthful and unbiased news, the association declared.

State Auditing Board might become involved

In an announcement related to the Dink murder made by President Abdullah Gül, he said that in a meeting with the President of the State Auditing Board, Cemal Boyalı, he asked him whether the Dink murder was within the scope of responsibility of the board. According to Gül, Boyalı replied, "If there is one thing I could do, I would not hesitate indeed".

Gül continued, "I will not allow any faulty issues in the prosecution. On one hand it was rather obvious that he would be killed, on the other hand it would be very embarrassing to have faults in the prosecution". (EÇ/EÖ/VK)

Sources: ntvmsnvbc and Habertürk websites.