Turkish Politicians Get into Physical Fights Over Jailed MP’s Admission

A physical altercation erupted in Turkey’s parliament on Friday when an opposition deputy was attacked after advocating for the inclusion of a jailed colleague.

The clash occurred when Ahmet Sik, an MP from the opposition, called for the reinstatement of Can Atalay, who is imprisoned on charges related to anti-government protests but was recently elected as a parliament member.

Video footage captured the chaotic scene, showing members of the ruling AKP party attacking Sik at the lectern.

The confrontation quickly escalated, with numerous MPs joining the fray and some attempting to restrain the fighters. Blood was visible on the steps leading up to the speaker’s podium as the brawl continued.

Atalay, sentenced to 18 years in 2022 for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government through his involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests, remains incarcerated.

He was convicted alongside Osman Kavala, a philanthropist also in jail, and six others, all of whom deny the accusations.

Despite his imprisonment, Atalay was elected to parliament in May of the previous year.

Parliament initially stripped him of his seat, but on August 1, the Constitutional Court overturned this decision, ruling his exclusion invalid.

During his speech, Sik condemned the ruling AKP lawmakers for labeling Atalay as a terrorist and criticized their stance towards opposition figures. “We’re not surprised that you call Can Atalay a terrorist, just as you do everyone who does not side with you,” Sik said. “But the biggest terrorists are the ones sitting in these seats,” he added.

The opposition Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP) has also demanded Atalay’s release. While such brawls are not frequent in Turkish parliamentary history, they do occur.

In June, scuffles broke out between AKP lawmakers and pro-Kurdish DEM Party MPs over the detention and replacement of a DEM Party mayor in southeast Turkey, who was accused of militant links.