Retired Turkish Ambassador Batu dies at Istanbul hospital

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

İnal Batu, one of Turkey’s most prominent diplomats, has represented the country in Nicosia, Prague, Islamabad, United Nations and Rome. Hürriyet photo

Retired ambassador İnal Batu passed away due to heart failure Aug.5 after two months of treatment at a private hospital in Istanbul, according to daily Hürriyet. He was 77 years old.

Batu was put into an intensive care unit on July 26, and has been the focus of multiple social media campaigns that aimed to find blood donors to help his treatment.

Prominent political figures have reached out to Batu’s family to pass on condolences, including Turkey’s parliamentary head Cemil Çiçek. Çiçek spoke to Batu’s wife, Nevra batu, according to Anadolu agency.
Turkish football club Fenerbahçe also released a statement in honor of the late ambassador, who was also a council member at the club.

Batu, son of politician Selahattin Batu, was born on Sept. 24 in 1936. One Turkey’s prominent diplomats, he has represented the country in Nicosia, Prague, Islamabad, United Nations and Rome. He was a graduate of Ankara University’s Diplomacy and Foreign Relations department.

Deputy, diplomat

Batu served as a deputy during the 22nd parliamentary period as the Republican People’s Party for the southeastern Hatay province.

During his career, Batu became one of country’s most respected and admired diplomats.

Batu is also known as the father of Pelin Batu, a Turkish actress and TV presenter.

Batu’s funeral prayers will take place at the Teşvikiye Mosque in Istanbul tomorrow before his body is sent off to burial.