Mothers mourn at Gezi protester Ali İsmail Korkmaz’s funeral

HATAY

Thousands attended the funeral of Korkmaz in Eskişehir. DHA photo

Three mothers who lost their sons during the Taksim Gezi Park protests shed tears during the funeral of a 19-year-old protester who died of his wounds July 10 in the southern province of Hatay.

Emel Korkmaz, the mother of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital after being beaten by unidentified people in Eskişehir in protests on June 2, was joined by Sayfı Sarısülük, the mother of Ethem Sarısülük and Hatice Cömert, the mother of Abdullah Cömert during her son’s funeral. Three mothers shed tears on the coffin of Korkmaz, whose assailants have still yet to be identified. Sayfı Sarısülük attempted to comfort Emel Korkmaz during the funeral.

Ethem Sarısülük, 26, died of his wounds on June 14 after being shot in the head by a police officer in Ankara’s Güvenpark during the Gezi Park protests. Abdullah Cömert, 22, died during protests in Hatay after receiving a hit to his head by unknown attackers. His assailants have not been detained.

Hatay deputy governor Kadim Doğan, the provincial gendarmerie regiment commander Col. Hasan Koçyiğit, and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy head Nihat Matkap, as well as CHP deputies Refik Eryılmaz, Hasan Akgöl, Mevlüt Dudu and Mehmet Ali Ediboğlu attended the funeral, daily Hürriyet reported.

Thousands attended the funeral, as Korkmaz’s body was taken from his home to the Ekinci Cemetery where he was later buried. The crowd chanted slogans holding photos of Korkmaz, Cömert and Sarısülük.

Korkmaz’s family said he went to a hospital after being beaten by unidentified people. However, a doctor examined him and sent him home. Korkmaz then slept at home but was unable to speak when he woke up the next day. He was later diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage, caused after being hit in his head.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Ali Tombul, 17, wounded in the head by a gas canister in Tarlabaşı, is still in a critical condition.