Hasan Bitmez, 54, a prominent member of the Felicity Party, succumbs to heart attack in Ankara City Hospital.

Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters 

Turkish Member of Parliament Hasan Bitmez, known for his outspoken criticism of President Erdogan’s government, tragically passed away at the age of 54.

Bitmez collapsed during a parliamentary session after condemning Turkey’s trade with Israel amid the Gaza conflict. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca confirmed his death, emphasizing the gravity of his condition.

Bitmez’s sudden demise has left the political landscape mourning a fervent critic of the ruling AK Party.

Bitmez graduated from Cairo’s Al Azhar University and served as the chairman of the Centre for Islamic Union Research and had previously worked for Islamic non-governmental organisations.

In a video posted by Visegrad 24 on Tuesday, Bitmez was seen slumping to the floor shortly after he attacked the Israeli government for its ongoing attack in Gaza.

Before his death, Bitmez was a popular critic of President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party (AKP) over Turkey’s ongoing trade with Israel despite the war in Gaza, and despite the government’s sharp rhetorical criticism of Israel’s military bombardment.

“You allow ships to go to Israel and you shamelessly call it trade… You are Israel’s accomplice,” Bitmez said in his speech after placing a banner on the podium reading: “Murderer Israel; collaborator AKP”.

“You have the blood of Palestinians on your hands, you are collaborators. You contribute to every bomb Israel drops on Gaza,” he told lawmakers during a debate over the foreign ministry’s 2024 budget.

Credit: Reuters