Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan breaks down in tears while speaking at the funeral of an old friend in Istanbul killed during the coup, images from Turkish television show.
Erol Olcak and his 16-year-old son were shot dead on the Bosphorous bridge in the city during Friday’s attempted coup.
They had been on the bridge to protest against the putsch launched by a group within the military, according to local media.
Erdogan tells the crowd of hundreds chanting “Allahu akbar”: “Erol was an old friend of mine.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, attends the funeral of victims of the coup attempt in Istanbul on July 17, 2016. AFP/ARIS MESSINIS)
Unable to control his tears, Erdogan adds: “I cannot speak any further. Condolences to our nation.”
“May God have mercy on your soul,” he concludes.
— AFP
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