Tear Gas Kills Policeman in Dersim

A police officer district died last night in the southeastern province of Dersim [officially recognized as Tunceli by Turkish authorities] after a stroke due to tear gas exposure. 

Authorities declared the name of the police officer as Ahmet Küçüktağ who has initially been hospitalized at Tunceli Public Hospital. 

Suffering from a stroke, he was transferred to Elazığ Fırat University Hospital by a helicopter as he reportedly required a cardiac pacemaker.  

While Küçüktağ’s heart failed several times, doctors intervened by implementing the pacemaker, a failed attempt as well. 

Tear gas normal? 

Responding a parliamentarian inquiry by CHP deputy Mehmet Kesimoğlu in August 2013, Former Interior Minister Idris Naim Şahin claimed that the police tear gas was made by a natural and herbal compound which didn’t have any long lasting side effects. 

TTB: Metin Lokumcu affected by tear gas 

On May 31, 2011, hundreds of people demonstrated against hydroelectric power plants in the northeastern district of Hopa during PM Erdoğan's rally in the city. 54-year old retired teacher Metin Lokumcu died of a heart attack when the police intervened against the demonstrators with the massive use of tear gas - an incident that spurred criticism for longtime. 

On February 13, 2012, Turkey’s Medicines Union (TTB) released a report which concluded that Metin Lokumcu’s death was related to exposure to tear gas. 

On June 20, 2013, lastly, the union made a joint statement explaining the side effects of tear gas and demanding the ban of tear gas usage. (YY/BM)