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.
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  • The mother Berkin Elvan cries after her son died at Okmeydani Hospital in Istanbul on March 11, 2014.
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  • A man attends a gathering in Okmeydani neighborhood in Istanbul after the death of Berkin Elvan, March 11, 2014.
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  • Protesters attack a riot police vehicle during clashes outside Okmeydani Hospital in Istanbul on March 11, 2014.
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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.
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  • Turkish riot police use water cannons to disperse protesters in Istanbul, March 11, 2014.
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  • Turkish riot police fires tear gas to disperse protesters during a demonstration in Istanbul, March 11, 2014.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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By TIME Staff
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.

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