Brawl erupts in Turkish parliament over jailed opposition MP

Ankara: violent clash broke out in the Turkish Parliament between members of the ruling AK Party and the opposition Workers' Party of Turkey during a heated debate about a jailed opposition member.

The altercation took place when opposition leader Ahmet Şık demanded the presence of Can Atalay, an imprisoned and elected MP, in the assembly. The tension escalated when an AK Party MP physically attacked Şık, sparking a brawl involving several lawmakers.

Witnesses reported that multiple MPs tried to intervene, but the situation quickly spiraled into chaos. Footage from the scene showed blood on the steps of the speaker's podium, underscoring the severity of the altercation.

Ahmet Şık, addressing the ruling party members before the incident, accused them of labeling anyone who opposed their views as terrorists. He said, "We are not surprised that you call Can Atalay a terrorist, just like you do with anyone who disagrees with you. But the real terrorists are those sitting in these seats."

Can Atalay, a Workers' Party MP, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022, along with several others, for allegedly orchestrating nationwide protests to overthrow the government. He remains behind bars but was elected to parliament last year. The Constitutional Court recently overturned a decision to revoke his parliamentary seat, reigniting debate over his case.

Following the fight, the Deputy Speaker suspended the session for three hours. When parliament reconvened, the Speaker took personal control of the proceedings to restore order.

Both Ahmet Şık and Alpay Özalan, the AK Party MP who initiated the attack, were reprimanded for their conduct.

Özgür Özel, a leader from the main opposition CHP, condemned the violence, calling it "shameful" and "unacceptable." He expressed shock that even female MPs were involved in the physical altercation, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.