Mr Dink said he had received numerous death threats

Turkish newspapers express deep shock and anger at the murder in Istanbul of one of the country's most prominent Armenian voices, the journalist Hrant Dink.

Several commentators predict the killing could spark a political crisis; many also express concern about its potential international repercussions.

Hrant Dink Murdered: The Murderer Is a Traitor ... It Was Turkey That Was Shot Dead.

Ahparik, Ahparik! [Armenian for "brother"]

Tsidesutyun Paregamis! [Farewell My Friend!] ... You at least achieved in death what you were striving for in life. Look, last night all walked in front of the paper chanting 'we all are Hrant, we all are Armenians,' something you spent a lifetime to see.

[Dink's] murder will make the solution of the Turkish-Armenian problem more intractable both at home and abroad. Our laws and justice system have cornered one of our Armenian citizens who could have contributed to the solution of the Armenian problem. He was murdered by dark forces.

For some time we were hearing gossip that some people who have angered the ultra-conservatives may be the targets of a new campaign of violence. We were told that, unlike in the past, the death squads are acting independently and are not linked or controlled by state bodies. We hope the security forces and intelligence network does a swift job to catch the culprit or culprits who are trying to push Turkey into a spiral of violence. If this is done, the credibility of the government and the image of Turkey can be saved.

Whatever the motive behind the attack was and whoever the killer is, Turkey and Armenia have both lost a very important son today, someone who was trying to contribute to building bridges of peace and understanding between his homeland Turkey and Armenia.

[Dink's murder was] a major blow to Turkey, Turkishness and humanity ... No greater insult could have been made against Turkey and the Turkish identity. No greater blow could have been dealt to Turkish democracy and Turkey's international prestige. This murder, which was committed by the true enemies of Turkishness, will unfortunately cost Turkey very dearly.

A section in Turkey that has run of out ammunition ahead of the presidential election has taken steps to plunge Turkey into a crisis.

[Dink's murder was] barbaric, cruel, and monstrous; politically an act of lumpen nationalistic hatred.

Hrant Dink symbolised tolerance. Those who shot at him have no idea that they also shot at Turkey. Just wait and see how this will resonate outside. The United States, France and other European countries will send proposals on the Armenians' genocide and will just rush them through. Turkey will be blamed for everything. Newspapers will write about how Turkish people could not tolerate a liberal journalist of Armenian origin. Can there be any greater harm to our country? Shame on them. Hrant Dink will continue to live in our hearts.

The people running this country should emerge from this affair by paying a big price and by making not so much the trigger man but those behind him pay the price. Whatever happens this fact is not going to change: Turkey without Hrant has become an orphan. Hrant Dink was murdered. Turkey was shot.

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