Gezi Park protests victim undergoes fourth operation

ISTANBUL

Berkin Elvan has since undergone two separate operations as a result of serious injury sustained from the attack, one on June 16 and the other on the morning of Nov. 8. Hürriyet photo

Gezi Park protests victim Berkin Elvan went in for surgery again today, the 14-year-old teenager still in a coma after sustaining a head injury from a gas canister during a police crackdown in the Gezi Park protests. 

His family released a message after the operation in a hospital in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı district. 

“Berkin Elvan got out of the surgery and was taken to the intensive care unit. The operation, which was deemed as necessary, lasted two hours and was completed successfully. Berkin is now fine,” read the message, which was posted on a Twitter account used by family members. 

Elvan was not a protester but an innocent bystander who was attacked after stepping out to buy bread during a police intervention in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı neighborhood on June 16.

Elvan has since undergone two separate operations as a result of serious injury sustained from the attack, one on June 16 and the other on the morning of Nov. 8. 

Activists and NGOs have been making calls to Turkish authorities pushing for them to launch a clear investigation with the objective of finding the police officer responsible for firing the tear gas capsule that struck Elvan’s head. The Taksim Solidarity platform is planning another demonstration titled “Justice for Berkin Elvan,” where the group will publicize its demand of authorities, that being to find the police officer. The demonstration will be in front of Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16.

Meanwhile, there will be a concert organized to support Berkin Elvan. The Nov. 18 concert at the Jolly Joker stage in Istanbul is aimed at raising funds for Elvan’s family.