Altercation Erupts in Turkish Parliament (VIDEO)
Lawmakers in Ankara clashed physically following remarks by an opposition MP who labeled the government as “terrorists” for the unjust imprisonment of a fellow member. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A ruling party MP physically assaulted an opposition colleague during a contentious session of the Turkish parliament in Ankara on Friday, following remarks made by the opposition about the government being "terrorists."
The confrontation erupted as lawmakers discussed the situation of Serafettin Can Atalay, an opposition representative currently imprisoned for his alleged involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. The Hatay province lawmaker had his parliamentary immunity revoked and was expelled in January, but a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court annulled that decision.
During the debate, MP Ahmet Sik from the Turkish Workers’ Party (TIP) stated, “It’s no surprise that you call Atalay a terrorist.” He continued, “All citizens should know that the biggest terrorists of this country are those seated on those benches,” referring to the members of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). “The truth always hurts. You have no shame or dignity,” he added.
In retaliation, AKP member Alpay Ozalan, a former football player, approached Sik and punched him. This incident led to chaos as numerous lawmakers converged on the dais, either joining the fray or attempting to break up the fight. The deputy speaker was compelled to call a 45-minute recess following the altercation, and footage showed staff cleaning blood from the parliament floor afterward.
Atalay is one of seven defendants convicted in 2022 for allegedly trying to overthrow the government by leading protests against converting an Istanbul park into a shopping mall. The Erdogan administration has alleged that they were part of a “terrorist network” associated with exiled cleric Fetullah Gulen, who once supported the AKP but later became an adversary.
Although Atalay is incarcerated, he ran for a seat in the earthquake-affected Hatay province during the general elections last May and was elected as one of three MPs from TIP.
After Türkiye's supreme court of appeals upheld Atalay’s conviction in January, the parliament moved to strip him of his immunity. Nonetheless, the Constitutional Court ruled on August 1 that the expulsion was “null and void” and contravened the Turkish constitution.
Historically, the parliament has voted to lift the immunity of opposition politicians, particularly ethnic Kurds, whom the government accuses of having links to Kurdish groups deemed terrorist organizations by Ankara.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
The confrontation erupted as lawmakers discussed the situation of Serafettin Can Atalay, an opposition representative currently imprisoned for his alleged involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. The Hatay province lawmaker had his parliamentary immunity revoked and was expelled in January, but a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court annulled that decision.
During the debate, MP Ahmet Sik from the Turkish Workers’ Party (TIP) stated, “It’s no surprise that you call Atalay a terrorist.” He continued, “All citizens should know that the biggest terrorists of this country are those seated on those benches,” referring to the members of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). “The truth always hurts. You have no shame or dignity,” he added.
In retaliation, AKP member Alpay Ozalan, a former football player, approached Sik and punched him. This incident led to chaos as numerous lawmakers converged on the dais, either joining the fray or attempting to break up the fight. The deputy speaker was compelled to call a 45-minute recess following the altercation, and footage showed staff cleaning blood from the parliament floor afterward.
Atalay is one of seven defendants convicted in 2022 for allegedly trying to overthrow the government by leading protests against converting an Istanbul park into a shopping mall. The Erdogan administration has alleged that they were part of a “terrorist network” associated with exiled cleric Fetullah Gulen, who once supported the AKP but later became an adversary.
Although Atalay is incarcerated, he ran for a seat in the earthquake-affected Hatay province during the general elections last May and was elected as one of three MPs from TIP.
After Türkiye's supreme court of appeals upheld Atalay’s conviction in January, the parliament moved to strip him of his immunity. Nonetheless, the Constitutional Court ruled on August 1 that the expulsion was “null and void” and contravened the Turkish constitution.
Historically, the parliament has voted to lift the immunity of opposition politicians, particularly ethnic Kurds, whom the government accuses of having links to Kurdish groups deemed terrorist organizations by Ankara.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
