Tear gas death to be probed

YALOVA

DHA photo

The Interior Ministry has appointed inspectors to investigate an incident in the Marmara province of Yalova, in which a man died due to the use of pepper gas by police officers on May 30.

The victim, 31-year-old Çayan Birben, died three days after being hit by police pepper spray. He suffered from asthma and experienced panic attacks, and told the police to stop using gas, according to agency reports. The police reportedly continued using pepper gas, and Birben was immediately taken to Yalova State Hospital after fainting. He died on May 30 after staying in a coma for three days following the incident.

Nevertheless his family and activists in the city told the Daily News that they were concerned that the death would not be properly investigated due to pressure from the police.

Birben’s body was taken from the Forensic Medicine Institute yesterday by his family. His body was expected to be sent to his hometown in the Black Sea province of Rize for the burial service. The Turkish police force is often criticized for over-using pepper gas during protests and fights between groups.