Police have clashed with protesters following the death of a young boy from his injuries sustained during the anti-government protests last year.
Tens of thousands of mourners chanted anti-government slogans earlier today as the coffin of Berkin Elvan, 15, was carried through the streets of Istanbul.
On Tuesday, Elvan died from injuries sustained from being struck with a gas cannister during the protests that engulfed Turkey last summer, after spending nine months in a coma.
The announcement of his death sparked violent protests against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and heavy handed police actions in many towns and cities across Turkey on Tuesday.
Tensions rose today as huge crowds of people came out to protest as Elvan’s coffin, draped in red and adorned with flowers, was carried from a house of worship, through the streets of Istanbul, to a hilltop cemetery.
Erdogan has appealed for calm, telling protesters:
Whatever issue you do have, solve them in polls on March 30
However, the situation quickly escalated as protesters launched fireworks towards police, who responded by firing water cannons to disperse them.
The clashes add to the pressures faced by Erdogan in the lead up to local elections next month, with the country divided between those who support his AKP government, and those that complain of creeping Islamism and political corruption, demonstrated by recently leaked unverified audio tapes.
The prime minister has promised to step down if his party lose in the local elections.
