Put Your AD here!

Turkey’s parliament descends into chaotic, bloody brawl over jailed opposition leader

Turkey’s parliament descends into chaotic, bloody brawl over jailed opposition leader


This article was originally published on FOX News - World. You can read the original article HERE

Join Fox News for access to this content

You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading.

By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.

Please enter a valid email address.

Turkey’s parliament descended into chaos Friday after a member of an opposition party called President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party a "terrorist organization." 

A member of Erdoğan’s party approached Ahmet Sik, who is in the same Workers’ Party of Turkey as a delegate believed to have been jailed for political reasons, and attacked him after Sik made the "terrorist" claim. 

"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 his speech. "But the biggest terrorists are the ones sitting in these seats." 

Soon, dozens of lawmakers had joined the skirmish, with some throwing punches and papers and others trying to stop the fighting. 

LAWMAKERS BRAWL AS TAIWAN'S PARLIAMENT DESCENDS INTO CHAOS

Lawmaker throwing punch

Turkey’s parliament descended into chaos Friday after a member of an opposition party called President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party a "terrorist organization."  (DIA Images via AP)

A female lawmaker was hit, splattering blood across the parliamentary podium. 

"It is a shameful situation," Ozgur Ozel, who heads the Republican People's Party, the largest opposition party, told The Associated Press. "Instead of words flying in the air, fists are flying. There is blood on the ground. They are hitting women."

The Turkish Grand National Assembly had been debating Can Atalay, who was elected as a parliamentary deputy in May 2023 while imprisoned for his role in 2013 anti-government protests

Atalay, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 over the protests that challenged Erdoğan’s rule, wants to serve his term in parliament, saying he would return to prison afterward. 

ITALIAN LAWMAKERS BRAWL IN PARLIAMENT: VIDEO

Turkish parliament member with his hands around another member's neck

"It is a shameful situation," Ozgur Ozel, who heads the Republican People's Party, the largest opposition party, told The Associated Press. "Instead of words flying in the air, fists are flying. There is blood on the ground. They are hitting women." (Ruters/Cagla Gurdogan/TPX)

Being in parliament would give him immunity from prosecution.

In an Aug. 1 ruling, the Constitutional Court said the decision to not allow Atalay to take his seat in parliament was "null and void" after parliament stripped him of his seat. 

It was the Constitutional Court's third ruling in Atalay’s favor, but the lower courts have been ignoring its rulings. 

International human rights groups have called Atalay’s and others' jailing and sentencing, including philanthropist Osman Kavala, arbitrary and politically motivated. 

Parliament brawl

Dozens of lawmakers joined the skirmish, with some throwing punches and papers and others trying to stop the fighting.  (Reuters/Cagla Gurdogan)

"Atalay’s personal freedom and security, as well as his right to be elected, which the Constitutional Court ruled to have been violated, should be restored," Amnesty International’s Turkey office said Friday in a social media post.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Parliament reopened three hours later with Sik and the lawmaker who attacked him being reprimanded by the parliament's speaker. 

This article was originally published by FOX News - World. We only curate news from sources that align with the core values of our intended conservative audience. If you like the news you read here we encourage you to utilize the original sources for even more great news and opinions you can trust!

Read Original Article HERE



YubNub Promo
Header Banner

Comments

  Contact Us
  • Postal Service
    YubNub Digital Media
    361 Patricia Drive
    New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
  • E-mail
    admin@yubnub.digital
  Follow Us
  About

YubNub! It Means FREEDOM! The Freedom To Experience Your Daily News Intake Without All The Liberal Dribble And Leftist Lunacy!.


Our mission is to provide a healthy and uncensored news environment for conservative audiences that appreciate real, unfiltered news reporting. Our admin team has handpicked only the most reputable and reliable conservative sources that align with our core values.