An Istanbul court yesterday sentenced Ogun Samast to nearly 23 years for the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrank Dink on January 19, 2007.

The 2^nd Juvenile Criminal Court sentenced Samast to 21.5 years on charges of premeditated murder and an additional 16 months on illegal weapons possession.

The court initially handed down a life sentence to Ogun Samast, 21, but then reduced it because he was a minor at the time of the shooting.

During his defense speech, Samast argued that he had been influenced by the press and urged on by others of the far-right; in particular Yasin Hayal.

The trial against Samast on charges of “membership in an illegal organization” is still pending.

According to Bianet, at the end of the hearing, Samast reacted to the court decision with a mixture of puzzlement and tension on his face. Defence lawyer Sebu Aslangil commented, "It suddenly dawned on him that he was convicted".