Ogün Samast's testimony revealed: 'The state is behind us, don't worry...'

The testimony of Ogün Samast, who shot and killed Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief and BirGün columnist Hrant Dink 17 years ago, has been revealed. 

According to the report in Agos; Samast connected to the hearing via SEGBİS (Audio and Video Information System).

Erhan Tuncel, Yasin Hayal, Zeynel Abidin Yavuz, Ersin Yolçu, Tuncay Uzundal, the police chiefs of the period Ramazan Akyürek and Ali Fuat Yılmazer, and Adem Sağlam, an officer from the Trabzon Anti-Terror Branch at the time, also attended the hearing via SEGBİS.

SAMAST: YASIN SAID 'OUR BACKING IS SOLID', NO WORRIES

In his defense, Ogün Samast stated, "I have nothing to add to my previous statements." 

Samast used the following expressions:

"I have nothing to say regarding the indictment prepared on the charge of committing a crime on behalf of an organization. I gave my defense regarding this charge 7-8 years ago.

Before the incident, in 2006, we gathered at Erhan Tuncel's house. A conversation took place in the kitchen between Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal. I was in the living room at that time. I heard Erhan say things to Yasin like, 'Ramazan and Ali Fuat chiefs are behind us, be at ease.' That is all I heard of the conversation between the two.

'THE POLICE ARE BEHIND US, THE STATE IS BEHIND US'

I went to Erhan's house a total of two or three times. I was going to Erhan's house to chat. Yasin was threatening me, saying, 'If you back out of this, you'll be in trouble too.' I was afraid of Yasin. Yasin was not an ordinary citizen; he had bombed a McDonald's and had other actions. Because of Yasin, I got involved in events I didn't want to be part of.

I was scared, I was 16 years old. Erhan and Yasin were saying things like, 'Your back is covered, be at ease, nothing will happen to you, the police are behind us, the state is behind us, do whatever you want, don't worry.'"

There were people following me at the scene. They showed me their photos later. I called Yasin. He said, 'Don't be afraid, they are one of us, you continue.'"

The presiding judge asked Samast, "Did you see any privilege or support from the police or gendarmerie after the incident?" Samast replied, "Those conversations happened in Samsun; they said things like, 'Be at ease, my boy, you are a lion, no one can do anything to you.' These are also in the video and statement records at the Samsun Police Department," he said. 

"I DO NOT KNOW AKYÜREK AND YILMAZER"

Upon a question from Ramazan Akyürek's lawyer, Samast said: "I do not know Mr. Ramazan and Ali Fuat. I did not receive instructions from them. I heard their names from Erhan and Yasin." 

Samast added, "Yasin and Erhan were talking frequently. Yasin's speech and behavior changed frequently after every meeting. My old statements are correct, but I don't remember them now."

After Ogün Samast's testimony ended, Erhan Tuncel said, "There are contradictions in what he said." 

Ali Fuat Yılmazer's lawyer stated, "Before reaching Erhan Tuncel and Ogün Samast, the officials in Istanbul and Trabzon had already failed to do what was necessary. This murder was able to be committed because the necessary precautions were not taken. In those years, there was not a conspiracy, but a real action plan. We believe the Ergenekon organization achieved its goal with the murder of Hrant Dink. If the goal is to reach the truth, one must look at these aspects. The truth has not yet been reached in this case."