Turkish artist Ozkan Ugur passes away at 69

ISTANBUL

Turkish musician and actor Ozkan Ugur died on Saturday, a top official in the country confirmed.

"We lost (our) beloved Ozkan Ugur. We will not forget this voice that came from the heart, befriending whomever listened," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on Twitter.

"We are filled with sorrow. I wish Allah's mercy on him and my condolences to his family and fans," Koca concluded.

Ugur was 69 years old and had been receiving treatment in Istanbul.

​He was a member of Turkish pop and rock trio MFO along with bandmates Mazhar Alanson and Fuat Guner.

Ugur also played roles in several movies, including Yavuz Turgul's "The Bandit," and Cem Yilmaz's "G.O.R.A.," "A.R.O.G." and "Mild West (Yahsi Bati)."

President Erdogan extends condolences

The country's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also issued a statement on Ugur's death, extending condolences to his loved ones, fans, and fellow artists.

"I wish Allah's mercy on Ozkan Ugur, the beloved voice and cinema artist of our country, winner of the Presidential Culture and Art Grand Award in the field of music," the president said.