Turkish Protests Erupt After Teenager in Coma Dies

The coffin of Berkin Elvan is carried on March 11, 2014, in Istanbul. Berkin Elvan, who has been in a coma since June 2013 after being struck in the head by a gas canister during a police crackdown on protesters, died earlier on the day.

Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images

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The mother Berkin Elvan cries after her son died at Okmeydani Hospital in Istanbul on March 11, 2014.

Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images

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A man attends a gathering in Okmeydani neighborhood in Istanbul after the death of Berkin Elvan, March 11, 2014.

Furkan Temir—Le Journal/SIPA

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Protesters attack a riot police vehicle during clashes outside Okmeydani Hospital in Istanbul on March 11, 2014.

Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images

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People protest the death of Berkin Elvan, a Turkish teenager who was in a coma since being hit in the head by a tear gas canister fired by police during the summer's anti-government protests, in Istanbul, March 11, 2014.

Emrah Gurel—AP

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Turkish riot police use water cannons to disperse protesters in Istanbul, March 11, 2014.

Boracan/SIPA

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Turkish riot police fires tear gas to disperse protesters during a demonstration in Istanbul, March 11, 2014.

Erdem Sahin—EPA

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Riot police use water cannons to disperse people who protest the death of Berkin Elvan, a Turkish teenager who was in a coma since being hit in the head by a tear gas canister fired by police during the summer's anti-government protests, in Istanbul, March 11, 2014.

Emrah Gurel—AP

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A protester waves a black flag during clashes with riot police in Kadikoy, on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, on March 11, 2014.

Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images

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Protesters are hit by water cannon during clashes with riot police in Kadikoy, on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, on March 11, 2014.

Gurcan Ozturk—AFP/Getty Images

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People gather for the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during last year's anti-government protests, in Istanbul on March 12, 2014.

Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images

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Anti-government protesters run as police fires tear gas to push back thousands of demonstrators close to central Taksim square in Istanbul, March 12, 2014.

Murad Sezer—Reuters

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Riot policemen shield themselves as fireworks thrown by anti-government protesters explode near central Taksim square in Istanbul March 12, 2014.

Osman Orsal—Reuters

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March 11, 2014 6:18 PM EDT

Last June in Istanbul, Berkin Elvan, then 14, went out to buy bread for his family. He didn’t return. Elvan got caught between skirmishing police and anti-government protesters and was hit by a tear gas canister. He slipped into a coma and became a rallying point for those opposed to reigning Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled the country for over a decade but faces calls for his resignation amid corruption scandals and mounting public frustration with his heavy-handed governance. When Elvan died this Tuesday, protesters once again took to the streets and clashed with security forces.