Turkey’s parliament was thrown into chaos on Friday after opposition lawmakers called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party a “terrorist organisation”.
Members of President Erdogan’s party approached Ahmet Cik, a representative of the Turkish Workers’ Party who was imprisoned for political reasons, and attacked him after claiming that he was a “terrorist.”
“I am not surprised that you call Khan Atarai a terrorist, just like you call everyone who is not on your side,” Sik said in his speech. “But the biggest terrorists are the people sitting here right now.”
Dozens of lawmakers soon joined the skirmish, some throwing punches and papers while others tried to stop the fighting.
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Turkey’s parliament was thrown into chaos on Friday after opposition lawmakers called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party a “terrorist organisation”. (DIA Images via AP)
A female lawmaker was shot, and blood was splattered on the podium in the chamber.
“It’s a shameful situation,” Ozgur Ozer, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, told The Associated Press. “Instead of words, fists are flying. There is blood on the ground. They are hitting women.”
Turkey’s Grand National Assembly was debating the possibility of Can Atalay, who was jailed for his role in anti-government protests in 2013 but was elected to parliament in May 2023.
Atalay, who faces an 18-year prison sentence in 2022 for protests challenging Erdogan’s government, has said he wants to serve out his term as a member of parliament and will return to prison when it is over.
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“It’s a shameful situation,” Ozgur Ozer, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, told The Associated Press. “Instead of words, fists are flying. There is blood on the ground. They are hitting women.” (Luthors/Chagra Guldogan/TPX)
Being a member of parliament would give him immunity from prosecution.
In its August 1 ruling, the Constitutional Court said its decision not to allow Atalay to take his seat was “null and void” because parliament had stripped him of his seat.
This is the third time the Constitutional Court has ruled in Atalay’s favour, but lower courts continue to ignore the rulings.
International human rights groups have alleged that the imprisonment and sentences of Atalay and others, including philanthropist Osman Kabala, are arbitrary and politically motivated.
Dozens of deputies joined the skirmish, some throwing punches and paper while others tried to stop the fighting. (REUTERS/Chagla Gurdogan)
“Mr Atalay’s personal freedom and security, as well as his right to run for office, which the Constitutional Court found to have been violated, should be restored,” Amnesty International Turkey said in a social media post on Friday.
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Parliament resumed three hours later and Sikh and the lawmakers who attacked him were reprimanded by the Speaker.
