Berkin Elvan's parents appear before court for 'insulting president': 'I stand behind my words'

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The third hearing of the case where Berkin Elvan's parents are standing trial for "insulting the president" was heard today (October 25) at the İstanbul 43rd Penal Court of First Instance.

Berkin Elvan was killed after being hit with a tear gas cartridge during the 2013 Gezi Park protests.

Can Atalay, the lawyer of the Elvan family could not attend the hearing as he has been under arrest for six months after he was convicted in the Gezi trial.

Birgün daily reported that the expert's report examining the videos has been submitted to the court in today's hearing.

At the hearing, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's lawyer requested that the Elvan family should be convicted.

"He took my son away from me"

Gülsüm Elvan, Berkin's mother, told the lawyer of Erdoğan, "Send your client my regards. He gave an order and took my son away from me."

Elvan emphasized that she was the one who was insulted and that she was standing behind her words. She also said she wanted to participate in the next hearing with her lawyer Can Atalay.

The court decided that the opinion as to the accusations should be prepared. The next hearing will be heard on March 16.

The accusation claims that Gülsüm Elvan and Sami Evran have made statements for President Tayyip Erdoğan which constituted a 'criminal' act after the hearings on September 2020 and January 29, 2021, in the case about the murder of Berkin Elvan, their son.

Elvan's family had drawn attention to the responsibility of Erdoğan, the prime minister of the time, in the death of Berkin Elvan. The accusation is requesting the court to rule for a prison sentence between 2 years and 4 months and 8 years and 8 months for Gülsüm and Sami Elvan for the crime of "insulting the president."

The police officer F.D. who is standing trial for killing Berkin Elvan was first given a life sentence for 'willful murder.' The court then reduced the penalty to 20 years of prison indicating that the incident happened with "eventual intent."

The court then reduced the penalty by one-sixth, taking into account "the potential impact of the penalty on the verdict on his future" and F.D. was given a prison sentence of 16 years and 8 months.

The case is now at the Court of Cassation.

F.D. who was not arrested is still serving as a police officer.