Turkish court rules for crime scene investigation in Gezi Park protests victim Berkin Elvan’s case

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court has ordered authorities to conduct an analysis at the scene where Berkin Elvan, a boy who died nine months after being hit by a police teargas canister during the 2013 Gezi Park protests, was shot.

The Istanbul 17th Heavy Penal Court ruled on Feb. 27 that an analysis should be conducted in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı neighborhood on April 10.

The suspect police officer, identified only as F.D., attended the hearing via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

Two more police officers, who attended the hearing via SEGBİS as witnesses, said that they do not know the suspect or those tasked in Okmeydanı on June 16, 2013. They also said that there were not assigned at the said scene on that day when Elvan shot shot.

Tensions arose in the court room when one of the judges was occupied with her mobile phone during the hearing and Elvan’s lawyer Can Atalay criticized the judge for her action.

“It is unacceptable for a judge to look at her mobile phone and smile while a lawyer is making a statement about a case concerning a death,” Atalay said. 

Upon the lawyer’s remarks, the judge in question said: “You cannot know what I am looking at [on my mobile]. What I am occupied with is none of your concern.”

The court rejected Atalay’s request for the suspect F.D.’s arrest and postponed the hearing to May 18.

Berkin Elvan was shot with a tear gas canister during the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı district on June 16, 2013. He was hospitalized due to his dire head injuries, underwent five surgeries and lost his life 269 days of staying comatose.

Elvan was the eight person to be killed in Gezi Park protests. Elvan’s parents previously said the boy was not a protestor and gone out only to buy bread. Elvan’s death sparked nationwide protest in Turkey, while the police officer who allegedly shot him remains free.