PodcastTurkish politician Haydar Baş dies from coronavirus
Haydar Baş, the leader of the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), died at the age of 73 on April 14 at a hospital that he was receiving treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Black Sea province of Trabzon. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered condolences to Baş's family.
Duvar English - Anadolu Agency
Turkish politician Haydar Baş died at the age of 73 on April 14 at a hospital that he was receiving treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Baş, the leader of the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), was in intensive care in a hospital in the Black Sea province of Trabzon.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered condolences to Baş's family.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of BTP leader Haydar Baş, who died due to COVID-19,” Erdoğan said on Twitter.
“I offer condolences to his family and supporters, I wish God's Mercy on all citizens who died due to the same disease," he added.
Baş entered politics in the early 1970s and took part in the National Salvation Party (MSP) led by Necmettin Erbakan.
He founded the BTP in 2001, which never managed to pass the 10 percent election threshold.
His funeral ceremony is set to be held on April 15.
On April 14, Turkey confirmed 98 new deaths from coronavirus, bringing the country's death toll to 1,296. The total number of registered coronavirus cases surged to 61,049.