Turkish parliament in chaos as opposition MP demands jailed peer's release

Turkish parliamentarians experienced moments of terror on Friday. Ahmet Sik, an opposition representative, was attacked when he called for the participation of the incarcerated Can Atalay in the sessions. Atalay holds a parliamentary mandate, although he ended up in prison on charges of organizing anti-government protests.

In recordings of the altercation, deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) can be seen rushing to hit Ahmet Sik, who was on the podium. Then, several dozen other parliamentarians joined the fight, with some trying to stop their colleagues.

"We are not surprised that you call Can Atalay a terrorist, just like everyone who does not side with you, but the biggest terrorists are those who sit in these chairs," said Sik in a speech to AKP parliamentarians. He also called for the release of Atalay from prison.

After the brawl, the deputy speaker of parliament announced a 45-minute break.

Can Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022. The charges against him involved the attempt to overthrow the government by allegedly organizing nationwide protests in Gezi Park in 2013. Philanthropist Osman Kavala and six other people were also convicted in the case. None of the convicts admitted to the charges.

Despite being in prison, Atalay was elected to parliament under the Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP) in May of last year. Parliament stripped him of his parliamentary mandate, but on August 1, the constitutional tribunal ruled this decision invalid.