Kacper Sobieski|Turkish lawmaker who collapsed in parliament after delivering speech, dies

2025-04-30 02:41:30source:Safetyvaluecategory:Scams

ANKARA,Kacper Sobieski Turkey (AP) — A Turkish opposition legislator died Thursday, days after he suffered a heart attack and collapsed in parliament just after delivering a speech critical of Israel and of the Turkish ruling party’s relationship with the country.

Hasan Bitmez, 53, a member of parliament from the Islamist Saadet Partisi, or Felicity Party, died at the Ankara City Hospital, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced.

Bitmez collapsed at the lectern of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Tuesday after speaking for some 20 minutes.

Legislators in the hall assisted Bitmez before he was rushed to the hospital in “extremely serious and critical” condition.

Other news Turkey’s Erdogan accuses the West of ‘barbarism’ and Islamophobia in the war in GazaAs ties warm, Turkey’s president says Greece may be able to benefit from a Turkish power plantTurkish and Greek leaders turn on the charm in Athens as they vow to leave years of animosity behind

During his speech, he was seen holding a sign that read: “Murderer Israel, Collaborator AKP,” in reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party.

Bitmez accused the AKP government of continuing to engage in trade with Israel even as it became one of its most vocal critics. AKP lawmakers heckled during his speech.

The legislator ended his remarks by reading from a poem that ended with: “Even if you escape the torment of history, you will not be able to escape the wrath of God.”

A small ceremony was held for Bitmez on the grounds of the parliament building Thursday. A small Palestinian flag was attached to his coffin, which was draped in the Turkish flag.

The Felicity Party joined an opposition alliance that failed to topple Erdogan in a May presidential election.

More:Scams

Recommend

For those in their 40s, navigating finances should mean putting an emphasis on retirement

For 48-year-old Rowan Childs of Wisconsin, a recent divorce turned her financial life upside down. "

Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence injured his shoulder against Buccaneers. Here's what we know.

You’d have to go back to Trevor Lawrence’s high school days to find a game that the quarterback miss

'Aquaman 2' off to frigid start with $28M debut in Christmas box office

"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" led a crowd of new releases at the box office on the weekend before C