Turkish MPs brawl during debate on jailed opposition lawmaker [View all]

Source: Reuters

Turkish MPs brawl during debate on jailed opposition lawmaker

Reuters
Updated Fri, August 16, 2024 at 11:55 AM EDT·2 min read

ANKARA (Reuters) -A fistfight broke out in Turkey's parliament on Friday when an opposition deputy was attacked after calling for his colleague, jailed on charges of organising anti-government protests but since elected an MP, to be admitted to the assembly.

Video footage showed MPs for the ruling AKP party rushing in to punch Ahmet Sik at the lectern and dozens more joining a melee, some trying to hold others back. Blood spattered the white steps of the speaker's podium.

Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in 2022 after being accused of trying to overthrow the government by allegedly organising the nationwide Gezi Park protests in 2013 with philanthropist Osman Kavala, also now jailed, and six others. All deny the charges.

Despite his imprisonment, Atalay was elected to parliament in May last year to represent the Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP). Parliament stripped him of his seat, but on Aug. 1 the Constitutional Court declared his exclusion null and void.

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