Turkish MP Dies 2 Days After Collapsing With Heart Attack While Giving Speech Saying Israel Would ‘Suffer Allah’s Wrath’
A Turkish MP has died two days after suffering a huge heart attack while giving a speech saying Israel would “suffer Allah’s wrath”.
Hasan Bitmez was seen criticising the government over its response to the situation in Gaza moments before he fell.
The 53-year-old – who suffers from diabetes – dropped to the floor as he finished his speech to the Turkish General Assembly Hall in Ankara on Tuesday.
Bitmez reportedly hit his head while falling.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced earlier that he had died at Ankara City Hospital where he was quickly taken and transferred into intensive care.
Koca said: “His heart stopped beating, then he was resuscitated in parliament and transferred within 20 minutes to hospital.”
The minister said on Tuesday that an X-ray revealed two vital veins in Bitmez’s heart were completely blocked and he was only still alive because of the machine he was hooked up to.
Authorities reported the MP was in a critical condition when he was handed over to the emergency services.
The Yeshiva World reported the long-time serving MP ended his speech by saying: “We can perhaps hide from our conscience but not from history.
“Israel will suffer the wrath of Allah.”
Moments after he stumbled across the stage and dropped to his knees before falling flat on his back.
Turhan Çömez, another MP and a trained doctor, was the first to rush to his aid, according to the Turkish outlet Gazete Duvar.
Shortly after, more MPs also attempted to give him first aid before he was taken to hospital.
Bitmez is the Felicity (Saadet) Party (SP) representative for the northwestern province of Kocaeli.
He has left behind his wife and child.
His party, an Islamist Turkish party, has heavily criticised the Israeli government’s response to the Hamas attack on October 7.
