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Christian editor's murder trial seen as test for Turkey

Supporters of slain Turkish Armenian editor Hrant Dink demanded justice on Monday at a third hearing in the trial of his suspected killers, in a case seen as a test for democracy and human rights in Turkey.

Dink was hated by Turkish nationalists for his stance on the sensitive issue of the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One. He had urged reconciliation between Turks and Armenians based on an acceptance of past wrongs.

Dink had received a suspended jail sentence before his death under article 301 of Turkey's penal code, for insulting "Turkishness" in his writings on the mass killings. The EU is demanding that Turkey scrap or amend the article.

Up to 50 lawyers tried to attend Monday's hearing, though only 17 were allowed into the courthouse. Security was tight, with police in riot gear stationed at the courthouse entrance.

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