Sırrı Süreyya Önder has passed away

DEM Party Istanbul MP and Deputy Speaker of the TBMM Sırrı Süreyya Önder has passed away. 

The statement issued by the hospital overseeing Önder's treatment included the following: 

"Mr. Sırrı Süreyya ÖNDER was brought to our hospital by ambulance on April 15, 2025, at 22:41, while unconscious and in a state of respiratory and cardiac arrest, accompanied by cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He was urgently diagnosed with 'Aortic Dissection' and underwent a Bentall procedure (aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement) along with a single-vessel bypass surgery. Following the surgery, hemodynamic stability was achieved in our intensive care unit under ECMO (heart support device) and intensive medical treatment. As his life-threatening condition worsened, the patient's neurological status deteriorated, and he entered multiple organ failure.

Mr. Sırrı Süreyya Önder passed away on May 3 at 16:10 due to multiple organ failure on the 18th day of his follow-up and treatment in our intensive care unit."

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones."

HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK, AORTIC DISSECTION OCCURRED

Önder had suffered a heart attack late on April 15.

Önder, who was taken to the hospital by ambulance, had his heart stop twice and was revived through medical intervention. It was determined that he had also suffered an aortic dissection along with the heart attack, and he was immediately taken into surgery.

12-HOUR MAJOR SURGERY AND INTENSIVE CARE PROCESS

Having undergone a major 12-hour surgery, Önder had been receiving treatment in intensive care since that day. Three days after the initial surgery, doctors had reopened Önder's chest.

Noting the improvements observed, doctors had stated, "We observed that the right heart has begun to contract. The right heart, which barely contracted during the first surgery, has begun to show significant, though not full, contraction."

In a statement made on the 13th day of his intensive care treatment, it was noted that Önder's neurological status was gradually deteriorating and his reflexes were diminishing.

STATEMENT FROM DEM PARTY

The DEM Party issued the following statement: "We are experiencing the deep pain of losing our Imralı Delegation member and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Sırrı Süreyya Önder. We extend our condolences to the peoples of Turkey, his family, and his loved ones. Achieving the peace struggle he pursued at the cost of his life is a requirement of loyalty to his memory. We will uphold the memory of Sırrı Süreyya Önder and his struggle for peace in a manner worthy of him."

DEM PARTY CO-CHAIRS IN ISTANBUL

DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, along with Central Executive Committee (MYK) members and the parliamentary group, canceled their programs and traveled to Istanbul.

Pervin Buldan, who was on the Imralı delegation with Önder, also arrived at the hospital.

Bakırhan stated, "We have lost dear Sırrı Süreyya Önder. This country has lost a great value who never hesitated for a moment to speak the truth despite great costs. A brave heart that beat for the language of peace and the brotherhood of peoples has fallen silent. Sırrı was not just a politician; he was the memory, honor, and joy of Turkey. He was a person who resisted with his words and brought hope with his smile. The pain of losing him is great. But we know that Sırrı's dreams are ours, and his path is our path. Rest in peace, Sırrı... Farewell, my comrade. You have our word, peace will come to this country."

Hatimoğulları said, "We have lost our very precious comrade Sırrı Süreyya Önder... Our pain and our loss are both immense. I know that words fail us all and that the heart of all Turkey is knotted with grief. He was a person who united us in common emotions and embraced everyone with his belief in peace. He was a value where the beauty and joy of these lands met. Neither these lands nor the people of this country will forget the struggle he waged for peace despite his severe illnesses. You have our word, my comrade, these ancient lands will surely meet with peace."

WHO IS SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER?

Sırrı Süreyya Önder was born on July 7, 1962, in Adıyaman. His father was one of the founders of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) in Adıyaman. He was arrested in 1978 due to protests against the Maraş Massacre. After his release,

He won admission to the Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences. 

He was one of the first figures to participate in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. He was involved in the 'Dolmabahçe Consensus' process. 

He entered prison in 2018 and was released on October 4, 2019.

Önder, who was among those facing a political ban in the HDP closure case, was also a screenwriter, director, and actor. 

News Source: 12punto