Turkish opposition deputy visits comatose Gezi teenager

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Republican People’s Party deputy chairman Gürsel Tekin (C) paid a visit to the critically wounded 17-year-old Mustafa Ali Tombul on July 12. DHA photo

Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy chairman Gürsel Tekin paid a visit to the critically wounded 17-year-old Mustafa Ali Tombul on July 12 as the teenager battled for his life in the intensive care unit of Taksim Research and Education Hospital.

Mustafa had been in a coma since he received a blow to the head from a tear gas capsule during a police intervention in Taksim’s Tarlabaşı and Tekin confirmed that he remained in a critical condition after spending half an hour in the hospital, where he also paid a visit to the Turkish-Palestinian Lobna Allani, who was also heavily wounded in a similar incident.

“Our brother was hit right behind his head. We wish a speedy recovery to him and to his family. We have spoken to the doctors and he remains in a critical state,” Tekin said, following his visit to Mustafa.
Tekin called on the government to act in conscience, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, saying, “Every single tear that has been shed can get back to you. When you look at your own children, think of the children here. What could that child have done?”

Mustafa has been in a coma since July 9 when he was hit by a tear gas capsule when police forces intervened against a group wishing to organize a forum in the recently reopened Gezi Park.

Tombul’ s father, Mehmet, previously told Doğan news agency that he could not see his son immediately after arriving in Istanbul, but only managed to do so after repeated insistence.

“I hope no one lives through that. The first thing I thought to myself was – I am a killer. I pay taxes, taxes for the house, for the car, for the phone, for everything except the air I breathe. And a police officer whose salary is paid by those taxes shoots my son. He shoots my son with my own money. What kind of a situation is this?”

Mehmet, however, stayed away from cameras during Tekin’s visit as a source close to those involved told reporters that he chose not to speak at the time, but would soon release a statement regarding Mustafa’s current situation. Tekin, too, refrained from revealing any details.

“I have information on his most recent state, but I will keep that information to myself,” Tekin told members of the press.

“[Allani] is doing slightly better. She suffers from partial paralysis on her right side. I wish them both a quick recovery,” Tekin added.