Late Turkish Cypriot leader’s grandson kills himself

ISTANBUL

Raif Denktaş’s grave site in Nicosia. AA photo

The grandson of Rauf Denktaş, the founding president of Turkish Cyprus, succumbed to his wounds in hospital on March 18 following a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the abdomen, Anatolia news agency has reported.

Can Denktaş, 37, was taken to Yakın Doğu Hospital after he was found at his father’s grave site in Nicosia with a bullet wound to the stomach that had damaged his intestines and arteries, according to hospital officials. He underwent a six-hour operation and was placed under intensive care as his condition remained critical in the evening hours.

Denktaş did not survive the following hours, however, and passed away at around 1 a.m., doctors said.

Denktaş’s suicide was reportedly caused by extreme financial troubles, as the 37-year-old was embroiled in several legal cases regarding unpaid debts. He was also going through emotional distress amid a divorce, according to daily Hürriyet.

Can was the son of Rauf Denktaş’ eldest son, Raif, who died in a car accident in 1985.

The late Turkish Cypriot leader himself died on Jan. 13, 2012, at the age of 88.