Today at political rally Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan claimed that 14-year-old Berkin Elvan, without mentioning Berkin's name, was in a terrorist organization because, according to the Prime Minister, he had a slingshot in his hand, some ball-bearings in his pocket, and a scarf covering his nose and mouth when he was hit in the head by a police fired gas canister.
The PM went on to justify the police's actions by saying that there was no way for the police to know his age.
The PM's statements regarding Berkin are in spite of, according to media reports, there being witness statements to the contrary and no police reports or physical evidence to support them.
Berkin Elvan, who died on Tuesday after being hospitalized for 269 days, was hit in the head by a police fired gas canister on the morning of Sunday June 16, 2013 while going to the market near his home to buy bread for his family.
Update: The PM gave as proof for his claims that there were what he claimed to be ball-bearings left at Berkin's grave when he was buried.
The media are now reporting that Berkin's father has responded to the PM's statements and has stated that Berkin's mother left marbles at his grave because Berkin liked to play marbles.
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Earlier posts about Berkin:
Gezi Park Protests - Great Sadness and Outrage as 14-year-old Dies After 269 Days in the Hospital
Why? - Why is the death of one 14-year-old so meaningful in Turkey?
Tens of Thousands (maybe 100,000+) Participate in Berkin Elvan's Funeral in Istanbul
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An article in English about the PM's statements (thanks to julesrules39 for finding it):
http://www.todayszaman.com/...