Police Fire Kills 14-Year-Old

14-year-old Furkan Çavuş lost his life in police fire in Erzurum province Palandöken district Maksut Efendi neighborhood, and his 16-year-old brother is injured.

Furkan Çavuş was the nephew of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Erzurum Provincial Head Nevzat Çavuş.

Human Rights Association (İHD) Erzurum Branch Head Medeni Aygül shared information about the event with bianet:

“The children were going to graze animals. As they crossed the main road, a car hit the their flock. The children reacted and started to argue with the driver. Three police officers then came by from the nearby police station and got involved.

“According to eye-witness testimony, the police officers opened fire on the children 3-4 times, and when one of them fell down, they subjected him to violence with their truncheons and kicks. They also opened fire on the children’s father and other siblings that later on arrive at the scene. The police officers took the children to the hospital.

“The brother of the child shot was injured, and is currently in good condition. The child died at night, but his family was only just notified. The funeral will be held in Erzurum today.”

Villagers injured with a knife the driver who hit and killed the animal, according to newspapers; he was reportedly taken to Palandöken State Hospital.

Riot police secured Erzurum Regional Traffic Inspection Branch following the incident.

İHD Head Aygül noted, “the police, intervening with arms in a simple argument, has committed homicide,” and declared that İHD would be pursuing the incident (AS).

* Photograph: Ahmet Okatalı / Anadolu Agency (AA)