Turkish MPs exchange blows at parliament amid debate on freeing jailed lawmaker

Lawmakers in Turkey’s parliament exchanged punches Friday afternoon after Ahmet Sik, an opposition lawmaker, called for the release of Can Atalay, his jailed colleague.

Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 after being accused of trying to overthrow the government by allegedly organising the nationwide Gezi Park protest in 2013 against President Recep Erdogan, who at the time was the prime minister.

Atalay, and seven others, including Osman Kavala, a philanthropist, are in jail over the allegation to oust the government. All denied the charges.

Sik was elected to the parliament in May last year to represent the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP).

Parliament declared Sik’s victory false and stripped him of his seat. However, on August 1, the constitutional court declared his exclusion null and void.

“We’re not surprised that you call Can Atalay a terrorist, just as you do everyone who does not side with you,” Sik told fellow lawmakers in a speech.

“But the biggest terrorists are the ones sitting in these seats.”

Sik also called for Atalay’s release from prison.

But, he was just minutes into his speech when MPs from the ruling AKP party rushed in to punch him before dozens more joined in as some tried to hold others back.

Blood coloured the white steps of the speaker’s podium.