Fists Fly In Turkey's Parliament Amid Heated Debate Over Imprisoned MP

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A fistfight erupted in Turkey’s parliament on Friday when an opposition deputy was assaulted after demanding that a colleague, jailed on charges of organizing anti-government protests but since elected as an MP, be allowed to join the assembly.

Video footage captured MPs from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) rushing to attack Ahmet Şık, a member of the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP), as he spoke at the lectern. Chaos ensued as dozens of lawmakers joined the melee, with some attempting to restrain their colleagues. Blood was seen staining the white steps of the speaker’s podium.

Can Atalay, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022, was accused of attempting to overthrow the government by allegedly organizing the nationwide Gezi Park protests in 2013, alongside philanthropist Osman Kavala and six others, all of whom deny the charges. Despite his imprisonment, Atalay was elected to parliament in May last year to represent TİP. Although parliament stripped him of his seat, the Constitutional Court declared his exclusion null and void on August 1.

“We’re not surprised that you call Can Atalay a terrorist, just as you do everyone who doesn’t side with you,” Şık told AKP lawmakers during his speech. “But the biggest terrorists are the ones sitting in these seats,” he added.

Following the altercation, the deputy parliament speaker declared a 45-minute recess. The TİP also called for Atalay’s release from prison.

While not common, brawls are not unheard of in Turkey’s parliament. In June, AKP lawmakers clashed with pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DEM) MPs over the detention and replacement of a DEM Party mayor in southeast Turkey for alleged militant links.

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