Ruling AKP's former Deputy PM Bülent Arınç diagnosed with COVID-19

A founding member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and former Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç tested positive for COVID-19, a week after he was in a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two met on Sept. 2 for the Presidential High Advisory Board.

Thursday September 10 2020 05:19 pm

Duvar English

A founding member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and former Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19, the politician said in a tweet on Sept. 10, eight days after he was in a meeting with the president.

The last meeting Arınç participated in was the Presidential High Advisory Board on Sept. 2, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"Thankfully we are in good condition. At this stage, our treatment will continue at home under the doctor's supervision," Arınç said.

Bugün eşim ve benim koronavirüs şüphesiyle hastane ortamında yapılan tetkiklerimiz neticesinde test sonuçlarımızın pozitif olduğunu öğrendik. Sağlık durumumuz şu an hamdolsun iyidir. Tedavimiz bu aşamada doktor gözetiminde evde devam edecektir.
— Bülent Arınç (@bulent_arinc) September 10, 2020

The former parliamentary speaker said that they needed his Twitter followers' prayers and good wishes.

"We also wish all our friends and people who have been infected with this disease, or others like it, speedy recoveries," Arınç added.