6 Detentions in Dink Investigation

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Detention warrants have been issued by İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for eight people as part of the Hrant Drink murder investigation. Six suspects including Muammer Ay have been detained.

Prosecutor Gökalp Kökçü ruled detention for eight people, who had taken photos, which were covered in the media, with Ogün Samast as he was under custody at Samsun Gendarmerie Commandership and Security Directorate on January 20, 2007, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Upon that simultaneous operations were launched in six cities. Journalist Muammer Ay, Murat Bayrak, Yüksel Avan, Birol Ustaoğlu, Yakup Kurtaran and Ahmet Çetiner were detained during these operations.

Two other suspects are searched, according to the report.

Investigation has been launched due to leakage

The Ministry of Interior has launched the investigation for the photos being linked to the press, not for having taken photos with Samast.

After the photo appeared in the media, Yakup Kurtaran (the one on the left in the photo) and a group of police officers were suspended on February 5, 2007.

Police inspectors recommended suspension of seniority for 16 months. However, Kurtaran was penalized of wage for one day.

They’ve been promoted

Kurtaran took this penalty to Samsun 1st Administrative Court and had it revoked. Kurtaran later has been promoted to Malatya Deputy Security Director.

Then Samsun Anti-Terror Bureau Acting Director Metin Balta has been promoted 3rd Grade Security Director and Commissar İbrahim Fırat to security chief. Fırat and Balta were first suspended from duty as part of Fethullah Gülen Community investigation following July 15 coup attempt, and the expelled. (EA/TK)