Scary Claims on Turkish Pepper Gas

In Istanbul University, dozens of students gathered on November 16 to protest the state tuitions with tents and banners marking "Free education and future to all". Police hit students with pepper spray, a type that, according to many students, was "different than what they are always used to".

"It was solid and glue-like substance, it reminded me of garden pesticide," a student said. "It stuck on our clothes and body. My face hurt for 3 days."

Oya Aslan, a student advocate, told bianet they are preparing to submit an official inquiry to Internal Ministry and police authorities concerning the chemical components of the pepper spray.  

"We have confirmed the police violence with a hospital report. We are going to take the case to Administration Court," she said.

"It felt like hot splashes of water"

Some students from Youth Federation Group shared their terrifying experience in the protests: 

Cavit Yılmaz: "They started spraying that pepper gas after our declaration. It first felt like hot syrup. Then it numbed my body sticking and causing to choke. After the police intervention, I was taken to the hospital. I felt the burn for several days, It didn't go away even when I showered. I couldn't sleep. It was more horrible than anything I came through before."

Erdem Hanoğlu: "I swear it was something different than pepper gas. I was almost fainting, it felt like hot splashes of water straight to my face. The gas invaded all my body, hurting my arms and legs mostly."

"My skin fell, it hurt immeasurably"

Birdal Nakay: "The gas affected me as they were taking me into custody. I was hospitalized. I couldn't even open my eyes once I closed them. We usually use milk to heal gas wounds, but it didn't work this time. My doctor even protested. He said he never saw this type of wound before from pepper gas. It happened three days ago and it still hurts.

Berk Ercan: "We never experience this type of pepper gas before. It was like a garden pesticide, solid and sticky. I am still suffering from it."

Yusuf Sinan Kul: "It was like a glue, sticky and transparent in color. Police was also carrying hones like in gas stations. This was how they sprayed it. It came in small pieces. I wasn't able to open my eyes for 24 hours." (AS)