Retired Intelligence Officer on Trial in Hrant Dink Murder Case Killed

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Şeref Ateş was murdered in an armed attack in his vehicle in Düzce province yesterday (March 12). It has been understood that Ateş was one of the defendants in the lawsuit filed into the murder of Agos newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink in Şişli, İstanbul on January 19, 2007.

When Hrant Dink was murdered, Ateş was working as a non-commissioned intelligence officer at İstanbul Gendarmerie Command.

After Şeref Ateş was killed in an armed attack by unidentified person or persons in his vehicle on North Freeway in Çamköy Neighborhood, the police have started working to solve his murder.

Three suspects have been detained by the police following their technical and physical tracking. Suspects K.B., E.K. and A.G. have been referred to courthouse after their formalities at the security directorate were completed.

The mobile phone records of the suspects have revealed that the issue of money was discussed in the messages with Şeref Ateş and the sides agreed on a place and time to meet.

He was a defendant in Hrant Dink murder case

Şeref Ateş, who was a a non-commissioned intelligence officer at İstanbul Gendarmerie Command when Hrant Dink was murdered on January 19, 2007 in İstanbul, was taken into custody as part of Hrant Dink murder case on July 27, 2016 and arrested on August 10, 2016. Detained pending trial for some time, Ateş was released on December 8, 2017.

Ateş was facing the charges of "violating the Constitution", "wilful murder" and "being a member of an armed terrorist organization." (HA/SD)

* Source: AA