Turkish lawmaker passes away days after fainting during speech on Gaza in parliament

By Dilara Hamit

Hasan Bitmez, a Turkish lawmaker passed away on Thursday, days after fainting during his speech on Gaza in parliament.

Bitmez, a Saadet Party lawmaker and the head of election affairs, collapsed on Tuesday during the parliamentary session. After a speech lasting 22 minutes, Bitmez greeted the assembly at 1:10 p.m. local time and then suddenly fainted.

Members of the parliament, who are doctors, provided initial assistance to Bitmez, who hit the marble steps behind the podium. After CPR for a while, the lawmaker was rushed to a hospital.

Bitmez's death was announced nearly 47 hours after he suffered a heart attack on the parliamentary podium.

A funeral ceremony will be held on Thursday in the parliament for Bitmez.

His funeral will be held on Friday at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, and then he will be buried in Merkezefendi Cemetery.