Turkish main opposition leader calls for calm against 'provocations'

ISTANBUL

CHP head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and his wife Sevil visited Berkin Elvan's parents at their house on March 13. DHA photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has called for "everyone to remain calm," during a visit to the family of Berkin Elvan, who was laid to rest on March 12.

Elvan, 15, died after being in a coma for 269 days after being wounded by a tear gas canister shot by police during last year’s Gezi protests.

“I want all the citizens [to remain calm]. Please beware of provocations. We will demand our rights using democratic tools. We are struggling for this,” said Kılıçdaroğlu on March 13 after a visit to the Elvans’ house in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı district, according to Cihan news agency.

“May God not give any parents the experience of the loss of their children. The parents [of Berkin Elvan] are still in sorrow. We conveyed our condolences to the family,” he added.

Kılıçdaroğlu also voiced his sorrow for the death of Burak Can Karamanoğlu, 22, who was killed in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı neighborhood on March 12 in a shooting that took place after the protests that followed Elvan’s funeral.

“One of our brothers has lost his life in Istanbul. I wish for God’s blessings and convey my condolences to his family,” said Kılıçdaroğlu during the visit, accompanied by his wife Sevim Kılıçdaroğlu, CHP Deputy Head Gürsel Tekin, the CHP’s candidate for the Istanbul Municipality, Mustafa Sarıgül, and the party’s provincial head, Oğuz Kaan Salıcı.

Some applauded the CHP leader after his speech, but he requested that they stop as he was at a funeral house.