In the Turkish parliament, there was a fight between deputies, in which the ruling party and the opposition exchanged blows with fists, Turkish media reported.
People's representative Ahmet Sik called for the admission to the hall of his colleague Can Atalay, who is in prison on charges of organizing anti-government protests.
Video footage shows MPs from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) rushing to the rostrum and dozens of others joining the melee. Drops of blood spattered the white steps that lead to the tribune.
Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 after being accused of trying to overthrow the government. Ankara claims he organized the nationwide protests in Gezi Park in 2013 along with philanthropist Osman Kavala, who is also now in prison, and six others. They all deny the charges.
Despite his imprisonment, Atalay was elected as an MP in May last year to represent the Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP). Parliament stripped him of his mandate, but on August 1 the Constitutional Court declared his expulsion invalid.
“We are not surprised that you call Khan Atalai a terrorist, as you do with everyone who is not on your side. But the biggest terrorists are those who sit in these seats," Sikh said in his speech.
The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament announced a 45-minute break after the fight.
TIP also called for the release of Atalay from prison. Quarrels are not unheard of in the Turkish parliament. In June, AKP deputies clashed with deputies from the pro-Kurdish DEM party over the detention and replacement of a mayor from the formation in southeastern Turkey over alleged terrorist ties. | BGNES
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