A heated parliamentary debate in Turkey over a jailed colleague escalated into a physical brawl, resulting in injuries among lawmakers. The incident highlights the deep political tensions in the country.
During a parliamentary debate discussing the imprisonment of one member, lawmakers in Turkey engaged in a physical altercation resulting in injuries.
On Friday, a heated argument erupted among Turkish legislators during a discussion regarding an opposition representative who is currently behind bars on charges that are commonly believed to be politically driven. This led to fisticuffs breaking out.
A member of parliament from the party that also contains a detained deputy, Ahmet Sik was assaulted while giving a speech on the podium by another lawmaker affiliated with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s governing political party, as captured in footage unveiled recently.
“Sik had recently referred to the ruling party as a ‘terrorist organization’.”
During a later altercation that involved many officers, a female legislator was injured and left droplets of blood on the stairs leading up to the speaker’s podium.
There are reports of another opposition member being injured.
Last year, Can Atalay was elected as a parliamentary deputy for the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) while in prison. The Grand National Assembly convened an extraordinary session to discuss his case.
In 2013, he participated in anti-government protests that were aimed at challenging the leadership of then-Turkey Prime Minister Erdogan. As a consequence of his involvement, he was sentenced to an imprisonment term lasting for 18 years starting from the previous year.
Atalay has been struggling to secure his seat in parliament since he was elected, as it would grant him immunity from prosecution and allow for his release from Marmara prison.
He stated that he would go back to prison upon completion of his term.
The resumption of the parliamentary session was uncertain at that moment.
