Violent clashes in Istanbul leave two people dead

Two people in Turkey have died from injuries suffered in violent clashes between police and protesters in Istanbul, the city’s governor told reporters on Friday. 

Police fought with more than a dozen youths who hurled stones and firebombs on Thursday. One man — described as a bystander by authorities, not a demonstrator — was shot and died. A second man died on Friday.

The clashes erupted after a group of up to 15 people protested the death of a 15-year-old boy, Berkin Elvan, who was hit in the head by a police tear-gas canister in disturbances last year and died in March as well as the deaths last week of 301 people in a coal mining disaster, which has been blamed on poor safety standards.

Istanbul Gov. Huseyin Avni Mutlu said news of the first man’s death triggered more clashes in the same neighborhood, injuring at least nine people, including a man who died in a hospital of a severe injury on Friday.

The first victim was named as Ugur Kurt, a 30-year-old who died of gunshot wounds to the head. He had been attending a funeral ceremony when police cracked down on some 50 protesters in the Okmeydani district.  

Mutlu added that at least eight police officers and another person had been injured during clashes in Istanbul overnight.   

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted to the two deaths saying he was "amazed" by the patience of the police.

"We won't remain silent against the blood mongers who use [the mine disaster] as an excuse to break, ravage, attack police and commit murder," Erdogan said in a speech to members of his ruling party. "Do you expect police to stand idly by and watch? I am amazed at their patience."

As for Elvan, Erdogan said: "Are we to hold a ceremony every time there's a death? He died, and it's over."

Tensions are high in Turkey with the approach of the first anniversary of deadly nationwide anti-government protests and in the wake of last week’s mine disaster.

Wire services