Sami Elvan fought back tears as he reminisced about his son, Berkin
The father of a teenager killed by a police teargas canister in Istanbul has said the Turkish state is “afraid” of his son.
15-year-old son Berkin Elvan languished in hospital for 269 days in a coma after being struck on the head by the canister, which was fired on a crowd of demonstrators during the Gezi Park protests in June 2013. He lost his life in March last year.
Speaking on a visit to London, his father Sami Elvan said that the Turkish state’s fear of his son was the reason why those responsible for his death have not been brought to justice.
“The lawsuit has not begun because the names of the police officers [who fired the canister] are being withheld. I think they are afraid of Berkin. That is why we cannot make progress in the lawsuit,” he told a crowded audience at the Alevi Cultural Centre in Dalston.
Mr Elvan was harshly critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was prime minister at the time of the demonstrations: “The prime minister of the Republic of Turkey called me a terrorist and a murder. He admits he gave the order to police to fire on the crowds.
“He feeds on blood. First he asked every family to have three children, as far as I know he now wants five children.”
He also spoke of the difficulties encountered by his family since Berkin’s death.
“We remain resolute through our faith,” he said. “My wife is unable to speak properly. She cannot express herself, she finds the end of words do not come to her.”
Sami Elvan frequently fought back tears as he spoke. The audience filled the gaps in his speech by chanting “Berkin Elvan is immortal” and “A sapling at fifteen, Berkin Elvan” to support him.
Children played an important part in the afternoon, with a group performing a traditional short Sema dance to the accompaniment of the stringed bağlama instrument.
Mr Elvan was also shown a baby boy born into the community who had been given the name “Berkin”.
Lawyers representing the family said Berkin’s condition worsened over the last week of his life, with his weight dropping to 16 kg from 45 kg. Widespread demonstrations erupted in Istanbul following his death. He was laid to rest at the Feriköy Cemetery.
Sami Elvan fought back tears as he reminisced about his son, Berkin
Sami Elvan (left) watched a sema dance performance before speaking