Turkish leader condoles famed historian, writer's death

"I deeply regret the death of the valuable historian-writer Yavuz Bahadiroglu (Niyazi Birinci), who succeeded in teaching our real history to generations through his works. I wish for mercy from Allah and offer my condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Instagram.

Vice President Fuat Oktay also offered his condolences for the historian's demise.

"I wish Allah's mercy to journalist-writer and historian Niyazi Birinci, who instilled an awareness of history and made many generations love reading with his writings and books penned with the pseudonym Yavuz Bahadiroglu," Oktay said on Twitter. "My condolences to his grieving family and loved ones,"

Later, Erdogan and other senior Turkish officials attended the Birinci's funeral at the Eyup Sultan mosque in Istanbul.

The president again extended his condolences to Birinci's family at the ceremony.

Following the funeral prayer, the historian was buried in the mosque's graveyard.

Birinci, a father-of-three, was born in 1945 in the Black Sea province of Rize.

The author of more than 30 novels retelling various periods of Ottoman history, he has also produced numerous children's books, stories, research articles, plays, screenplays and other intellectual works.

The writer passed away in a hospital where he had been under treatment for a while.