Ogün Samast arrives at Akçaabat Courthouse: Seen for the first time in 20 days

Ogün Samast, the murderer of AGOS newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink, has provided testimony in Trabzon via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) regarding a case filed against him following his release.

Samast was released from the Bolu F-Type Prison on November 15, 2023, under "conditional release." Following his release, an investigation was launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of "committing a crime on behalf of an armed terrorist organization without being a member of it," and an indictment was prepared. The indictment requested a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years for Samast.

Samast arrived at the Akçaabat Courthouse in his hometown of Trabzon to provide testimony for the case filed against him. Numerous plainclothes police teams took security measures around the courthouse.

Samast participated in the hearing held at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court via SEGBİS from the Akçaabat 1st Criminal Court of First Instance. Samast testified for approximately 2 hours.

In his testimony, Samast admitted to killing Dink but claimed that there was no organizational connection to the incident. Samast alleged that he was subjected to psychological pressure after being caught and arrested following the incident.

Following Samast's testimony, the court panel adjourned the hearing to January 21, 2024.