One of the important people of the “Ergenekon” terrorist organization, a retired general Veli Kucuk disliked Hrant Dink. He stated this during Hrant Dink’s murder trial in response to allegations about his involvement.

“I personally did not know Dink, I had never had a direct meeting with him. I did not like him, I was not obliged to like him. However, I do not approve his murder. Legal proceedings had already been launched against Dink and he had to suffer his punishment. Though I am accused of giving order to the gendarmerie chief of Trebizond Ali Ozi to kill Dink, I was there on 8 January of 2001, when I was retired', he said.

Hrant Dink was often threatened. He ignored them except for the threats made by a retired general Veli Kucuk. He informed Taner Akcam of it: “I have not so far given importance to these threats. However, if Veli Kucuk is threatening, it means that they are too serious.”