Sofi, 42, contracted the virus on October 19 and as his condition deteriorated, he was flown to Turkey to receive intensive care in the capital’s Memorial hospital on November 2. He died in the early hours of Wednesday morning. His body will be returned to the Kurdistan Region for burial on Thursday
Sofi was born in 1978 in Erbil province’s town of Choman and held a PhD in International Law from Salahaddin University. He represented the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the regional parliament from 2013 to 2017.
President Nechirvan Barzani offered his condolences to the late governor's family, friends, the people of Erbil and Kurdistan.
He described him as "an active parliamentarian and competent legal expert who had a significant role in the Kurdistan Parliament."
"His professionalism, integrity, patriotism, and devotion has made Dr. Firsat much loved by the public," Barzani added in a statement sent to Rudaw.
Before becoming a parliamentarian, Sofi taught law at Erbil’s Polytechnic University.
The politician is remembered by many for raising through the KDP’s ranks through sheer determination and his own ability, despite his humble beginnings. He was a legal advisor at the Kurdistan Region Presidency’s office.
“We are very sad to learn of the passing of Dr Firsat Sofi, Erbil Governor. We send our condolences to his family and the people of the Kurdistan Region,” the UK Consulate wrote on Twitter.
Within one hour of the announcement of Sofi’s death, over 5,000 comments of condolences were posted on Rudaw Kurdish’s Facebook page. “The KDP lost one of its devoted cadres,” user Dindar Koramarki wrote on the site.
The governors of Sulaimani and Duhok also offered their condolences.
Sofi is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.
