Turkey asks Geneva to remove picture linking Erdogan to slain teen
Date
4/25/2016 11:51:21 PM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Geneva's Kurdish and Armenian photographer Demir Soenmez poses for the media next to his picture with caption "Tribute to Berkin Elvan wounded by Turkish police in Istanbul who died after 269 days of coma" displayed on the Place des Nations in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva Switzerland 25 April 2016. A photo displayed on the Place des Nations which calls into question the current Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan angered Turkey. Its consulate requested the withdrawal of the picture. The city of Geneva will focus Tuesday on the request. Soenmez exposes until Sunday 58 photos of events on the Place des Nations. Among them was a banner in March 2014 which made responsible Erdogan Prime Minister of the death of a teenager during a protest in Istanbul. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
Geneva: Turkey has asked authorities in Geneva to remove an exhibition picture that blames President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the death of a Turkish teen injured during anti-government demonstrations a Swiss official said Monday.
Berkin Elvan spent 269 days in a coma after being hit in the head by a police tear gas canister during the anti-government protests that rocked Istanbul in May-June 2013.
He died in hospital in March 2014 aged 15.
His injury and subsequent death helped galvanise opposition to Erdogan's government and the heavy-handed tactics used by the police.
His picture is featured in a photography exhibition across the street from the United Nations complex in Geneva which is supported by the city and press freedom group Reporters Without Borders.
A caption underneath the picture reads: "My name is Berkin Elvan. The police killed me on the order of Turkey's prime minister."
Erdogan was prime minister when Elvan was injured on his way to buy bread during the so-called Gezi Park protests.
A spokesman for the canton of Geneva Philippe d'Espine told AFP that Turkish representatives had asked for the picture to be taken down.
The spokesman said a decision on the request would be taken during a weekly meeting of the municipal government on Tuesday.
The exhibition showcases the work of photographer Demir Sonmez a Swiss citizen of Kurdish and Armenian origin who told AFP his objective was to highlight "the multiple struggles of the people."
AFP