A fist fight broke out in THE Turkish Parliament on Friday as lawmakers convened to discuss the fate of an opposition figure, jailed earlier this year on charges of organising anti-government protests. The session was called to discuss the ousted MP's re-admission to the assembly after the country's constitutional court struck down parliament's decision to oust lawmaker Can Atalay from his seat.
In the video footage of the parliament session, MPs of the ruling The Justice and Development Party (AKP) can be seen rushing to punch Ahmet Sik, a leader of the leftist Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP), as he stood at the lectern defending Atalay against the ruling party lawmakers' attacks.
Lawyer and rights activist Atalay was sentenced to 18 years jail in 2022 on accusations of trying to overthrow the government by nationwide Gezi Park protests in 2013. Along with him, award-winning philanthropist Osman Kavala was also jailed for life, news agency AFP reported.
Atalay is one of seven defendants sentenced in 2022 following a controversial trial.
However, despite his incarceration, 48-year-old Atalay contested May 2023 general election from the earthquake-ravaged Hatay province, representing the TIP.
On August 1, 2023, Parliament decided to strip Atalay of his seat, but the Constitutional Court reversed the decision and declared his removal "null and void".
Previously, Turkey's parliament has voted to lift immunity from prosecution of opposition politicians who the government views as "terrorists".
"It's no surprise that you call Atalay a terrorist," AFP quoted Sik as saying.
Referring to the ruling majority, he added: "All citizens should know that the biggest terrorists of this country are those seated on those benches."
This comment drew left the ruling party lawmakers angry and started the brawl, prompting the chairman to call a break.
Scuffles broke out after former footballer and lawmaker from Erdogan's ruling AKP party, Alpay Ozalan, walked towards Sik and shoved him to the ground, said an AFP journalist in parliament.
He was then punched on the ground several times by AKP's lawmakers.
At least two opposition MPs were injured during the fistfight, with blood spattered on the white steps of the speaker's podium.
Denouncing the violence, Ozgur Ozel, head of the main opposition CHP party, said: "I am ashamed to have witnessed this situation."
As per a Reuters report, a three-hour break was called after the scuffle. The session was then chaired by the parliament speaker instead of his deputy.
The Parliament reprimanded Sik for his statements against AKP and Ozalan for his physical assault on Sik.
Calling it a "shameful" incident, main opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said: "Lawmakers punched other lawmakers, even women. This is unacceptable."