Top Felicity Party official, known for cooperation with Erdoğan, dies aged 86

Known for his open opposition to the Felicity Party administration, the party's High Advisory Board (YİK) Chair Oğuzhan Asiltürk died on Oct. 1 after the COVID-19 virus led to pneumonia at the age of 86. Asiltürk had recently been in the news for his collaboration with President Erdoğan.

Friday October 01 2021 10:27 am

Duvar English

Known for his oppositional stance to the Felicity Party administration, the party's High Advisory Board (YİK) Chair Oğuzhan Asiltürk died on Oct. 1 at the age of 86 following treatment for pneumonia triggered by COVID-19.

Asiltürk was best known for his opposition to Felicity Party leader Temel Karamollaoğlu's cooperation with the Nation Alliance, which compromises the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), nationalist İYİ (Good) Party and Democrat Party.

He was instead said to be in favor of a partnership with the ruling People's Alliance led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Justice Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

In January, Asiltürk even hosted Erdoğan at his home, whereas in April he had an iftar dinner with the president at the Presidential Palace. He had also reacted against Karamollaoğlu's criticism of the AKP, and said a congress was on its way with an agenda to change the party's administration.

"May God's grace be with our most valuable big brother Mister Oğuzhan Asiltürk, one of the most important names in our political history," wrote the president in a tweet on Oct. 1.

Bugün vefat haberini aldığımız, Millî Görüş Vakfı ve Saadet Partisi Yüksek İstişare Kurulu Başkanı, siyasi tarihimizin önemli isimlerinden, çok kıymetli ağabeyimiz Sayın Oğuzhan Asiltürk’e Cenab-ı Allah’tan rahmet niyaz ediyorum. Mekânı cennet olsun.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 1, 2021

"Our High Advisory Board chair, comrade and man of our cause Oğuzhan Asiltürk passed away," wrote Karamollaoğlu on Twitter on Oct. 1.

Yüksek İstişare Kurulu Başkanımız, yol arkadaşımız ve dava adamı Oğuzhan Asiltürk ahirete irtihal etmiştir.

Milletimizin ve camiamızın başı sağolsun. Mekanı cennet, makamı âli olsun.
— Temel Karamollaoğlu (@T_Karamollaoglu) October 1, 2021

Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also paid his condolences on social media, saying that he learned of the passing "of one of a generation's leaders with great sorrow."

Saadet Partisi Yüksek İstişare Kurulu Başkanı, eski İçişleri ve Sanayi bakanlarımızdan, bir neslin öncü isimlerinden Oğuzhan Asiltürk'ün vefatını büyük üzüntüyle öğrendim.

Merhuma Allah'tan rahmet, ailesine, sevenlerine ve Milli Görüş camiasına sabr-ı cemil niyaz ediyorum.
— Ahmet Davutoğlu (@Ahmet_Davutoglu) October 1, 2021