Berkin Elvan's family sentenced to prison for 'insulting the president'.

Gülsüm Elvan, the mother of Berkin Elvan, who lost his life due to a tear gas projectile during the Gezi protests, and his father Sami Elvan were sentenced to prison for "insulting the president" due to their statements regarding their son's death. However, the court postponed the announcement of the sentences.

Berkin Elvan was hit in the head by a tear gas projectile thrown by the police during the Gezi Park protests on June 16, 2013, and he died after 269 days in a coma. A lawsuit was filed against Berkin's mother Gülsüm Elvan and father Sami Elvan due to their statements following the trial regarding their son's death. The 10th hearing of the case was held on Wednesday at the Istanbul 43rd Criminal Court of First Instance. The Elvan couple and their lawyer Yalçın Deniz Özen attended the hearing. The prosecutor stated that the Elvan couple’s statements could not be considered within the scope of freedom of expression and requested their punishment for "insulting the president." Mother Gülsüm Elvan responded to the indictment, saying, “I did not insult, that was my cry, my rebellion. It has been 11 years; I long for my child. What did my child do? He was only 14 years old. They ignore the insults directed at me. I have been subjected to curses and insults, and it was not enough, they searched my house,” she said. Father Sami Elvan stated, “My life has changed in 11 years, and I still miss my child. I have no child; I leave the decision to your conscience. If you are sending the police, then handcuff me if you must.” The Elvan family's lawyer Yalçın Deniz Özen argued that their statements were within the scope of freedom of expression. "Insulting the president is merely pointing to Erdoğan's legal responsibility in this case," he said. At the end of the hearing, the court sentenced mother Gülsüm Elvan to 11 months and 20 days, and father Sami Elvan to 1 year, 2 months, and 17 days in prison. However, the court decided to defer the announcement of the judgment for both defendants.