Erdoğan, AKP members attend funeral despite full lockdown, COVID-19 ban

President Erdoğan and members of his ruling AKP have attended a funeral despite the country being in full lockdown, which stipulates that a maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral.

Duvar English 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) attended a funeral on May 2, drawing ire from the public due to the country being in full lockdown, which stipulates that a maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral. 

Erdoğan, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya and lawmakers were among those who attended the funeral of Ümraniye Mayor İsmet Yıldırım's father, who died from COVID-19.

Turkey is currently under full lockdown due to the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. The lockdown is set to end on May 17. 

Numerous measures were implemented as part of the lockdown, including those related to funerals. In addition to limitations on the number of attendees, those who go to funerals should maintain social distancing. 

The rules, however, are often violated by Erdoğan and his AKP. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca previously apologized for attending a similarly crowded funeral, but went on to attend another secretly.