Turkey: clashes between police and protesters after funeral of teenager Berkin Elvan,
- 10 years ago
Turkish police have used teargas and water cannon during clashes with anti-government protesters in central Istanbul on Wednesday.
Earlier, demonstrators marched through the city for the funeral of a boy wounded during protests last summer.
Berkin Elvan, who was then 14, is believed to have been hit on the head with a police teargas canister while on his way to buy bread last June.
He died nine months after falling into a coma when he was hit by a police tear-gas canister. His death brings the number of fatalities from last summer’s protests to at least eight.
“Lots of children have been killed so far, and Berkin was the last of them. We do not want anyone to be killed. No-one here wants it. But they try to kill people, they try to block their democratic protest right. No-one came here to clash with the police,” said protester Binali Atasever
Berkin’s death has sparked renewed unrest across Turkey ahead of elections.
Prime Minister Erdogan criticised those taking to the streets, saying it was “undemocratic.” 18 days before elections,
There has been growing discontent with the government over corruption scandals and plans to tighten internet controls which are seen as authoritarian.
Erdogan accuses “anarchists, terrorists and vandals” of being behind last summer’s protests
Several police officers were questioned about Berkin’s head injury but no-one was ever charged.
Earlier, demonstrators marched through the city for the funeral of a boy wounded during protests last summer.
Berkin Elvan, who was then 14, is believed to have been hit on the head with a police teargas canister while on his way to buy bread last June.
He died nine months after falling into a coma when he was hit by a police tear-gas canister. His death brings the number of fatalities from last summer’s protests to at least eight.
“Lots of children have been killed so far, and Berkin was the last of them. We do not want anyone to be killed. No-one here wants it. But they try to kill people, they try to block their democratic protest right. No-one came here to clash with the police,” said protester Binali Atasever
Berkin’s death has sparked renewed unrest across Turkey ahead of elections.
Prime Minister Erdogan criticised those taking to the streets, saying it was “undemocratic.” 18 days before elections,
There has been growing discontent with the government over corruption scandals and plans to tighten internet controls which are seen as authoritarian.
Erdogan accuses “anarchists, terrorists and vandals” of being behind last summer’s protests
Several police officers were questioned about Berkin’s head injury but no-one was ever charged.