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Fistfight Erupts in Turkish Parliament Over Jailed Opposition Deputy's Fate

Saturday 17 August 2024 - 10:30

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In a dramatic display of political tension, Turkey's parliament descended into chaos on Friday as lawmakers engaged in a physical altercation during a heated debate over the parliamentary status of Can Atalay, a jailed opposition deputy. The incident, which lasted about 30 minutes, led to the suspension of proceedings and left at least two lawmakers injured.

The tumultuous scene unfolded as members of parliament gathered to vote on a motion to restore the mandate of Atalay, a lawyer and human rights activist who won his seat in the May 2023 election while campaigning from prison. Atalay, a member of the leftist Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP), was stripped of his parliamentary immunity earlier this year, a move that has been highly controversial.

The brawl erupted when Alpay Özalan, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a former footballer, confronted Ahmet Şık, a TIP lawmaker. Şık had just delivered a scathing critique of the government's treatment of Atalay, stating, “All citizens should know that the biggest terrorists in this country are those seated on those benches,” while gesturing towards the ruling majority.

Özalan’s response was swift and physical. He approached the rostrum and shoved Şık to the ground, where AKP lawmakers then punched him repeatedly. The situation quickly escalated as other lawmakers joined the fray, transforming the parliamentary chamber into a scene of chaos.

Footage of the incident, which has since circulated widely online, shows the extent of the violence and its aftermath, including staff cleaning bloodstains from the parliament floor. Among the injured were deputies from the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) party, both sustaining head injuries.

Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition CHP, expressed his dismay at the events, stating, “I am ashamed to have witnessed this situation.” The parliamentary speaker announced that the two deputies who initiated the brawl would face sanctions.

The vote at the center of this controversy concerned Can Atalay, who was deprived of his parliamentary seat in January following a contentious trial. Atalay is one of seven defendants sentenced in 2022 to 18 years in prison in a case that also saw the renowned philanthropist Osman Kavala receive a life sentence.

Despite his incarceration, Atalay successfully campaigned for a parliamentary seat representing the earthquake-stricken Hatay province in the May 2023 election. His victory as a TIP member led to a legal standoff between supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and opposition leaders, pushing Turkey to the brink of a constitutional crisis.

The decision to oust Atalay from parliament in January came after the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld his conviction. However, on August 1, the Constitutional Court ruled that Atalay's removal from parliament was “null and void,” adding another layer of complexity to the legal and political dispute.

Friday’s parliamentary session ended with AKP and far-right Nationalist Movement Party deputies joining forces to defeat the opposition’s motion to reinstate Atalay’s parliamentary status. This outcome reflects the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups in Turkey, particularly regarding the treatment of opposition politicians and the lifting of parliamentary immunity.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the deep political divisions within Turkey and the high stakes involved in debates over parliamentary representation and judicial independence. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, the international community watches closely, concerned about the implications for democratic processes and human rights in Turkey.