Two arrested after unfurling banner at AKP congress

İsmail Saymaz ISTANBUL

Two people have been arrested on charges of making propaganda for an illegal far-left group after unfurling a banner demanding the trial of those responsible for killing the 15-year-old Gezi protests victim, Berkin Elvan, during a provincial congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul.

“Let Berkin’s murderers stand trial. We want justice,” read a banner signed by Revolutionary Youth (Dev-Genç), an outlawed leftist organization.

Two 20-year-olds, identified as Hicri Selviler and Leyla Erdoğan, were arrested on Feb. 9 after being questioned by police.

Erdoğan said in her testimony that she had no connection with the leftist group, but she sympathized with it.

“The purpose of the banner was to draw attention, as the murderers have not been caught and put on trial despite 603 days having passed since Berkin Elvan was killed,” she said.

“The prime minister was talking about justice in his speech. We unfurled the banner to express our demand for justice, and we were attacked by the security guards,” Selviler reportedly said.