Photo appeal to find journalist's killer

Istanbul governor Muammer Guler distributed photos today of a man believed to be the killer of prominent journalist Hrant Dink.

The photos clearly showed a man, apparently in his late teens or 20s, wearing a white winter hat, jeans and a denim jacket.

He appeared to have an angular face and a thin moustache. In one photo he appeared to be walking calmly, while in another he appeared to be running and tucking a gun into his waistband.

The image, taken from a security camera on the street where Dink was murdered and then enlarged and enhanced by security officials, was clear enough that identification would be possible, and Mr Guler asked for the public's help in finding the subject.

Turkish television stations immediately aired the photos along with the number of a police hotline. Mr Guler said authorities were investigating whether the killing was the act of an individual or a group.

He also sought to deflect criticism that the police didn't do enough to protect Dink, saying the journalist had never formally requested police protection.

"Because he didn't request protection, he didn't get close protection," Guler said. "Only general security precautions were taken."

Well-known Turkish journalists commonly receive police protection and can be seen travelling around Istanbul with bodyguards.