Berkin Elvan’s Family Calls for Attendancy in Trial

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Family of Berkin Elvan, who was shot dead during the Gezi protests, has made a call for people to come to the first trial of a police officer who is tried without arrest.

The first hearing will be held at İstanbul Courthose in Çağlayan at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

What happened?

On June 16, Berkin Elvan has been hospitalized due to grave head injuries after the police intervention in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı district. When he was admitted to the Okmeydanı Research Hospital, his heart has reportedly stopped already.

Suffering from brain hemorrhage, Elvan went through at least five surgeries.

On January 5, Elvan turned 15 in his comatose. He died on Day 269.

While Istanbul Chief Prosecution currently investigated the case, prosecutors allegedly denied to follow charges related to “attempted police killing and torture” - a complaint submitted by Elvan’s family advocates.

On the other hand, the suspected policemen have been charged with “excessive use of their right to exercise force” according to Turkish Penal Code Article 256/1.

The investigation was completed on December 7, 2016.

The indictment prepared by Prosecutor İsa Dalıgç from İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office demands that police officer F.D., who is shown as the only defendant, be tried on charge of “eventual murder intent”.

The police officer in his testimony said he “doesn’t remember of firing the gas cartridge”.

As non-prosecution verdict was rendered for 42 suspects, the only suspect F.D. is tried on “eventual murder intent” rather than “willful murder”, attorney Oya Aslan representing Elvan family told bianet. (AS/TK)