On January 19, the first anniversary of the death of the Armenian intellectual Hrant Dink, ten thousands of progressive, democratic and revolutionary people gathered in front of Agos newspaper office in Sisli, Istanbul, where the murder had taken place. The mass shouted slogans such as "Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, long live the people's brotherhood!" and "The murderer state will render account!
Hrant Dink was murdered last year on January 19 in an armed attack in front of the office of Agos newspaper whose chief editor he was.
The masses laid down carnations at the place where he was murdered and held a minute's silence at the hour of his death. Dink`s wife Rakel Dink held a speech at the commemoration demanding justice. Rakel Dink stressed the injustice in the murderer case of her husband and reminded of the fact that pictures were taken of the murderer of Dink presenting him as a hero later as well as pointed out that the state's forces related to the assassination have not been charged yet. The masses answered the speech of Rakel Dink with shouting the slogan "The murderer state will render account!".
After the commemoration the masses began to march towards Taksim Square shouting slogans and singing marches. When they walked down the Istiklal Street they threw stones at the offices of the National Canal and the fascist party MHP (Nationalist Movement Party). The crowd also protested in front of the office of the CHP (Republican People's Party) where slogans were shouted, too. The police arrested one activist here.
Carrying the anger on the assassination of Dink, the masses defended themselves against the police using police barricades in front of a consulate. The actions continued by extending to the side roads. 15 people were arrested here. The police terror did not manage to hinder the progressive and revolutionary forces walking down the Istiklal Street in the city centre of Istanbul for hours with posters read "We are all Armenians!". On January 20, another commemorational action took place on the Balikli Armenian cemetery by Dink`s family and friends. Different actions were also organised in Antep, Bursa, Malatya, Ankara and other cities where the masses expressed their anger on the murder.