The Turkish section of the International League of People's Struggle (ILPS) has condemned the recent assassination of progressive writer and intellectual Hrant Dink. In a statement, the anti-imperialist alliance accused the government of having a hand in the killing.

Dink had always been known as the main proponent of the discussion on the Armenian genocide by "the Turkish fascist state".

Following is the full text of the statement:

Once again the state has silenced a person who spoke up for the people and the oppressed minorities. Hrant Dink was of Armenian descent, a writer, an intellectual and chief editor of the progressive Armenian magazine, Agos. He was killed on Jan. 19 in front of his office.

According to witnesses, a group of unidentified persons grabbed him at around noontime when he was about to enter his office and then killed him. Hrant Dink was threatened many times throughout his engagements, but the threats increased especially in the last years.

He was always shown as the main proponent of the discussion on the Armenian genocide. One reason for this was his speaking out against the Armenian genocide, and he did not just say that, he also pointed out and unmasked the ones that practiced that genocide: the Turkish fascist state.

Hrant Dink had published numerous articles, documents and essays about the Armenian struggle especially about the Armenian people living in Turkey. He was a progressive writer who took a strong stand against state oppression.

Because of his participation in this struggle he had many opponents and enemies that were supported by the state. There were constant death threats not only against his life but also against his colleagues in the magazine and his family.

We at ILPS Turkey Section condemn the murder of Hrant Dink and demand an immediate investigation of his murder. We call upon the democratic and progressive public to protest against the killing of Hrant Dink.