Wednesday, January 20, 2010

With release of pope gunman, Turks recall another shooting by the same man - this one fatal

"With release of pope gunman, Turks recall another shooting by the same man - this one fatal

By Christopher Torchia (CP) – 1 hour ago

ISTANBUL, Turkey — The release of the Turkish man who shot the pope in 1981 has unsettled Turks who remember him for another crime - the killing of journalist Abdi Ipekci, whose calls for tolerance still resonate in a divided nation.

The world knows Mehmet Ali Agca for his attempt on Pope John Paul II, a brazen assault in the midst of throngs of the devout in Rome that has not been explained to the satisfaction of prosecutors. But his emergence after decades in jail had a deeper impact in Turkey, troubled by a dark past and concerns about impunity, conspiracy and freedom of expression."

More:The Canadian Press: With release of pope gunman, Turks recall another shooting by the same man - this one fatal