Turkish Parliament Erupts into Violence Over Jailed Opposition Lawmaker
Turkish Parliament Erupts into Chaos with Fistfight Involving Dozens of MPs On Friday, chaos erupted in Turkey’s parliament as dozens of lawmakers engaged in a brawl sparked by a heated debate over the fate of a jailed opposition deputy. The violence, which lasted for about 30 minutes and left at least two MPs injured, forced the suspension of proceedings. The session eventually resumed with a vote that rejected a motion to reinstate the parliamentary mandate of Can Atalay, a lawyer and human rights activist.,
Atalay, who campaigned from prison and won his seat in last year’s elections, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity earlier this year. The turmoil began when Alpay Ozalan, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), physically attacked Ahmet Sik, a deputy from the leftist Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP), who had criticized the government’s treatment of Atalay.
Sik had denounced the ruling majority as the “biggest terrorists” in the country, leading to Ozalan shoving him to the ground and subsequent punches from AKP lawmakers. The melee drew in numerous deputies, resulting in a significant disturbance. Footage from the scene showed staff cleaning bloodstains from the floor after the altercation.
Injuries were reported among deputies from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). Ozgur Ozel, head of the CHP, expressed his dismay at the violence, calling it an embarrassment.
The parliamentary speaker announced that the two MPs who instigated the brawl would face sanctions. Atalay’s removal from parliament followed a contentious January session and a controversial trial in 2022, which also saw philanthropist Osman Kavala sentenced to life imprisonment.
Atalay, who is serving an 18-year prison sentence, had campaigned from prison for his seat representing Hatay province in May 2023. His election led to a legal standoff and heightened political tensions, nearly plunging Turkey into a constitutional crisis. Despite his removal, a constitutional court ruling on August 1 deemed his ouster “null and void.”
On Friday, AKP and Nationalist Movement Party deputies united to defeat the opposition’s bid to restore Atalay’s mandate. Turkey’s parliament has a history of lifting immunity from opposition figures, particularly those viewed as “terrorists” by the government.
