The debate was about the opposition politician Can Atalay, who in 2022 was sentenced to 18 years in prison for protesting against the government in 2013.
He was later suspended as a Member of Parliament. During Friday, a hearing was therefore held on Atalay’s suspension at the opposition’s request.
Called the rulers terrorists
Atalay’s party colleague Ahmet Sik, a member of parliament for the Turkish Workers’ Party TIP, was in the lectern when the row broke out.
“All citizens should know that the biggest terrorists in the country are those who sit on the benches here,” he is said to have said, referring to the ruling majority in the country.
Clips show how Alpay Özalan, who previously played in the Premier League, then tackles Ahmet Sik and pushes him to the floor.
Blood spatter on the lectern
Just seconds later, a large fist fight breaks out with several members involved. According to The Guardian the fight went on for around half an hour. The Reuters news agency states that there was blood splatter on both the floor and the lectern.
Several people are said to have been injured in the fight and two people received head injuries, The Guardian reports.
– I am ashamed to have experienced a situation like this in our parliament, says Özgur Özel, leader of Turkey’s largest opposition party, the CHP.
The hearing regarding Atalay was postponed and the speaker of the parliament states that the two members who he believes started the fight will both be punished.