In his speech in Maraş, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu touched on the Turkish authorities’ report on Hrant Dink, which was sent to the European Court of Human Rights. The Turkish Government informed the Court that Dink was not acquainted with the report and did not put his signature to it.

Milliyet reports that in his speech Minister Davutoglu pointed out that he had nothing to do with the report on Dink’s assassination. Davutoglu was upset to hear the speech in

defense of the Government. The Turkish FM said he had never seen the text or signed it, as he had been abroad. Davutoglu expressed his regret over restrictions on freedom of speech. Hrant Dink was an intellectual, and Minister Davutoglu respected him. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs kept track of his activities, but the Government should not sue its own citizens in difficult situations. It must be a principle to follow, the Minister said. The principle of mutual consent is not to be followed in the Hrant Dink case. The Turkish Government cannot recall the speech for the defense, but it will find a solution, Davutoglu said.

During his recent visit to Baku, Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed regret that Hrant Dink was assassinated. He pointed out that the Government did not take necessary measures to prevent the crime.

The chief editor of Agos daily appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the judgment by the Turkish court a week before he was murdered. After his death Dink’s family also filed a lawsuit against the Turkish authorities for failing to prevent the journalist’s assassination.

In an official response sent to the European Court, the Turkish Government noted that Hrant Dink was insulting Turkish identity.