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A brawl broke out in the Turkish parliament on Friday during a heated debate over the status of jailed opposition lawmaker Can Atalay. The altercation occurred after Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) lawmaker Ahmet Şık called for Atalay’s return to the assembly, prompting members of the ruling AKP party to physically attack him.
MPs Clash in Turkish Parliament Following Accusations
The incident unfolded after Şık criticized the AKP’s stance, accusing them of labeling anyone who opposes them as a terrorist. His remarks were met with aggression as AKP lawmakers rushed the lectern, leading to a melee involving dozens of MPs. Video footage captured the chaotic scene, showing blood spattered on the speaker’s podium as MPs clashed.
Background on Can Atalay’s Imprisonment
Atalay, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 for allegedly organizing the Gezi Park protests in 2013, was elected to parliament in May 2023 as a representative of the TIP. Despite his election, parliament had initially stripped him of his seat. However, on August 1, the Constitutional Court ruled that his exclusion was unlawful.
Calls for Atalay’s Release
The TIP has renewed its calls for Atalay’s release, emphasizing that his continued imprisonment is unjust. The deputy parliament speaker called a 45-minute recess following the altercation.
Previous Incidents in Turkish Parliament
This incident is not the first of its kind in the Turkish parliament. Similar scuffles have occurred, including a recent confrontation in June between AKP and pro-Kurdish Democratic Party MPs over the detention of a mayor in southeastern Turkey.