ISTANBUL-
Officials say two people have died amid clashes that erupted in Istanbul and other cities following the funeral of a teenager, who died nine months after being hit by a police tear-gas canister.
The Istanbul Governor’s office said a 22-year old man died in fighting between two groups of youths late on Wednesday, as police fired water cannons and tear gas to prevent crowds from reaching Istanbul’s main square after the burial of 15-year old Berkin Elvan.
In the southeastern city of Tunceli, the governor said a police officer died of a heart attack during clashes with anti-government protesters Wednesday. Officials denied reports that tear gas fired by police triggered the heart attack, insisting that the policeman had not been exposed to gas.
Anti-government protests have flared since Berkin’s death Tuesday.
