A violent brawl erupted among Turkish lawmakers on Friday, August 18, 2024, during a heated parliamentary debate concerning Can Atalay, an opposition delegate currently imprisoned on charges widely considered politically motivated.
The incident, which was televised, showed opposition representative Ahmet Sik being attacked by a member of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party after Sik referred to the ruling party as a “terrorist organization.”
The ensuing melee involved dozens of deputies, resulting in injuries to multiple lawmakers. A female legislator was struck, leaving blood on the steps leading to the speaker’s lectern. Ozgur Ozel, leader of the largest opposition party, decried the incident as “shameful,” stating, “Instead of words flying in the air, fists are flying, there is blood on the ground. They are hitting women.”
The extraordinary session was convened to discuss the case of Can Atalay, who was elected to parliament from prison in last year’s election. Atalay, sentenced to 18 years for his role in the 2013 anti-government protests, has been fighting to take his seat and gain parliamentary immunity. Despite favorable rulings from the Constitutional Court, lower courts have ignored these decisions, sparking a judicial crisis.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions in Turkish politics, particularly surrounding the 2013 Gezi Park protests and subsequent convictions. Amnesty International’s Turkey office has called for the restoration of Atalay’s “personal freedom and security, as well as his right to be elected.”
After a three-hour suspension, the parliamentary session resumed with both Sik and his assailant receiving reprimands from the parliament’s speaker. This incident underscores the deep political divisions and the volatile nature of parliamentary proceedings in Turkey.
