15-year-old blinded by a tear gas canister in southeastern Turkey during election protests

ISTANBUL – Radikal

A Kurdish man lies in a hospital after been injured in clashes with Turkish riot policemen on Apr. 3 during a protest against election results at Birecik in southeastern province of Şanlıurfa. AFP Photo

A 15-year-old boy has lost eyesight due to a tear gas canister used by the police in the Birecik district of the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa during the protests against the results of the March 30 local elections.

The unnamed boy, identified by his initials as N.K., lost sight in his left eye after being hit by a gas canister.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy leader Sezgin Tanrıkulu said those responsible must be brought to justice.

The protests started in the district when the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate won the elections. Supporters of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) hit the streets after the elections, claiming their candidate had lost due to fraud from the AKP.

Tanrıkulu said the gas canisters, which caused the loss of eyesight for at least 50 people last year, must not be used to target certain protesters and claimed using them is an attempt to prevent people’s democratic rights.

“Despite all unlawful practices, citizens insist on demanding their rights. We do not expect the AKP to find those responsible for blinding N.K., but it is our natural right to expect respectful judges to investigate this incident and find those responsible,” said Tanrıkulu.