Document reveals police in İstanbul fired over 20K teargas shells during Gezi
In a report submitted to the court for the case of Berkin Elvan – 14 year old child who was killed at his neighborhood by a teargas shell fired by police during the Gezi Park Protests of 2013 -, the excessive use of teargas by riot police has been documented.
According to reports of Cumhuriyet newspaper, the document submitted by riot police special forces directorate, a total of 21150 teargas shells (with a 37-38 mm diameter); 3725 smoke grenades; 658 stun/flash grenades; and 341 FN equipments were used between the dates of 31 May 2013 and 17 June 2013 at Taksim Square and its surrounding towns (Osmanbey and Mecidiyeköy), as well as, in a few other neighborhoods with dominantly leftist dwellers.
This number does not fully reflect the scope of police brutality faced during the famous Gezi protests, which were held virtually all across the country. 8 young people were killed by police and hundreds of others were wounded, with some having been left with lifelong damages to health.