Police intervenes in protests at killed Gezi protester case

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Protestors clash with security at the gate of Istanbul's Anatolian side courthouse as they try to enter inside the premises on November 21, 2013. AFP Photo

Police used tear gas against protesters outside the courthouse during the trial into the death of Mehmet Ayvalıtaş, a Gezi protester who was killed after an automobile ran over him during the Gezi demonstrations in June.

Protesters broke the doors of the Kartal courthouse on Istanbul’s Anatolian side while trying to enter the 8th High Criminal Court, as Ayvalıtaş’s family were unable to enter the courtroom.

Police set up a barricade in front of the courthouse and then accepted the family into the building, which led to the clashes between protesters and police dying down.

Ayvalıtaş, 20, was the first confirmed death in the protests that engulfed Turkey over the summer.

He died on June 2 in Istanbul’s 1 Mayıs neighborhood, after a car drove into protesting crowds, despite warnings, according to eyewitnesses.

Main opposition People’s Republican Party (CHP) Istanbul deputy Mahmut Tanal and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Istanbul deputy Sebahat Tuncel were present at the Nov. 21 hearing to give their support to Ayvalıtaş’s family.