A heated debate in Turkey’s parliament turned violent on Friday as lawmakers exchanged punches over the release of Can Atalay, an opposition lawmaker jailed since 2022.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ahmet Sik, a fellow opposition MP, sparked the brawl when he called for Atalay’s release and criticised the government for labeling him a terrorist.
“We’re not surprised that you call Can Atalay a terrorist, just as you do everyone who does not side with you,” Sik said in a speech. “But the biggest terrorists are the ones sitting in these seats.”
MPs from the ruling AKP party rushed to attack Sik, leading to a melee involving dozens of lawmakers. The altercation left blood on the speaker’s podium.
Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison for allegedly organizing the 2013 Gezi Park protests against President Recep Erdogan, who was then prime minister. He and seven others, including philanthropist Osman Kavala, deny the charges.
