Turkish MP dies after suffering heart attack in parliamentary rostrum

Duvar English

Turkish opposition Felicity (Saadet) Party Sakarya deputy Hasan Bitmez on Dec. 14 died in an intensive care unit two days after suffering a heart attack in the parliamentary rostrum.

Bitmez on Dec. 12 fainted and fell down after finishing his speech in the parliamentary budget negotiations. Bitmez, who was intubated and brought to Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, was taken to the intensive care unit.

A ceremony was held at the Parliament to commemorate Bitmez on the same day.

Felicity Party leader Temel Karamollaoğlu said they always witnessed Bitmez’s sincerity and sacrifice. “We all witnessed that he lived a life worthy of a man of cause and that he died in accordance with (Prophet Muhammad’s saying) ‘You die the way you live.’ My condolences to his family, our community and our beloved nation!”

Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel, former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, People's Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party co-chairs Tuncer Bakırhan and Tülay Hatimoğulları, Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party leader Ali Babacan, Future (Gelecek) Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu also offered condolences in social media posts.

During his speech, Bitmez was criticizing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), accusing its members of collaborating with Israel. He concluded his speech, “If you get rid of the torment of conscience, you will not be able to get rid of the torment of history / If you get rid of the torment of history, you will not be able to get rid of the wrath of God.” After saying these words, Bitmez fainted and fell on the floor of the parliament. "This is the wrath of God! This is the wrath of God!" was heard from the AKP benches, according to the parliamentary minutes.