Turkey's election campaign is in full swing but rumours persist about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ill health. Reuters
Turkey's election campaign is in full swing but rumours persist about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ill health. Reuters
Turkey's election campaign is in full swing but rumours persist about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ill health. Reuters
Turkey's election campaign is in full swing but rumours persist about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ill health. Reuters

Turkey’s Erdogan cancels video meeting due to illness


Holly Johnston
  • English
  • Arabic

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan postponed a video appearance on Thursday, only days after falling ill during a live TV interview.

Mr Erdogan was set to appear at an event to showcase a new nuclear plant at 1.30pm local time, now postponed until 4pm. His office confirmed the delay but gave no further details.

The President has been out of public view since bowing out of a live TV interview on Tuesday night, during which he fell ill.

The incident has reignited rumours of ill health as Mr Erdogan battles a tight election race scheduled for next month.

On Wednesday, he cancelled election rallies on the advice of his doctors.

His TV appearance on Tuesday began 90 minutes behind schedule and lasted only 10 minutes before the broadcast cut to a commercial break.

The 69-year-old looked to be waning during the interview before cutting it short mid-question.

The camera shook and the screen turned blank as the broadcast stopped.

A voice could be heard saying "oh wow" in the background, while someone repeatedly coughed.

Mr Erdogan returned about 15 minutes later and apologised, saying he had developed stomach flu while travelling for campaign rallies.

He was expected to use the nuclear power plant ceremony to bolster support among voters who back the Turkish leader’s “strongman” image and close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Rumours about Mr Erdogan's health have been circulating since he underwent two gastrointestinal operations in 2011 and 2012 and the speculation could undermine his image amid a tightly contested battle for the presidency.

The surgery went well on each occasion but left him with a slight slump in his gait that appears to have fed some of the social media rumours.

Health Minister Derya Yanik told Turkish television on Thursday that Mr Erdogan was on the mend.

"There is nothing to worry about, he is well," she said. "He will resume his intense programme tomorrow, I think."

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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
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Results

Men's finals

45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.

51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. ​​​​​​​54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.

57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.

63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.

71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg:​​​​​​​ Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).

81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.

91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.

Women's finals

45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.

51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.

57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.

63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).

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RESULT

Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Manchester United 5

Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Updated: April 27, 2023, 1:39 PM