A protester aims a slingshot at riot police forces during a demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday. The death of Berkin Elvan triggered renewed clashes between activists and police. The Elvan family has blamed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their son's death. Photo: CFP

Tens of thousands of people turned out Wednesday for the funeral of a teenage boy in Istanbul whose death from injuries suffered during last year's anti-government protests sparked violent countrywide demonstrations.

Police were bracing for further clashes after they fired tear gas and water cannon at stone-hurling protesters in several cities on Tuesday following the death of 15-year-old Berkin Elvan after 269 days in a coma.

Elvan was hit on the head by a tear gas canister while he was going to buy bread during demonstrations against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that gripped Turkey in June.

"Berkin's murderers are the AKP police," protesters shouted in Istanbul on Wednesday, referring to Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

More demonstrations have been called for Wednesday, likely to add to pressure on Erdogan, whose government has been rocked by an escalating corruption scandal ahead of elections that could decide his fate.

"How many young people have to die for Erdogan to resign? My only wish is for this fascism to end without spilling more blood," said retired worker Atillaizmirlioglu.

Erdogan has vowed to step down if the AKP, in power since 2002, loses local elections on March 30 that are seen as a key test of his popularity after last year's unrest and the graft probe.

Elvan's story became a symbol of heavy-handed police tactics against demonstrators in June, the biggest of Erdogan's 11-year-rule.

His death prompted protests reminiscent of last year's unrest, with thousands of people clashing with police on Tuesday in at least 32 cities including Istanbul and Ankara, where the most violent clashes took place.

According to local media, some 20 demonstrators were injured and 150 arrests made.

Angry protesters shouted "Erdogan, killer" and "All against Fascism" during the protests.

In the Okmeydani neighborhood where the boy lived, shopkeepers shut their stores in a show of solidarity.

President Abdullah Gul had expressed his sadness at the boy's death and appealed for calm, urging everyone "to do everything to prevent this from happening again."

The June protests started as a relatively small environmentalist movement to save Istanbul's central Gezi Park but evolved into a nationwide wave of protests against Erdogan, who is seen as increasingly authoritarian.

The boy's mother Gulsum Elvan had challenged Erdogan, who praised police "heroism" during the protests.

AFP