A brawl erupted in Turkey’s parliament on August 16, 2024, during a heated debate regarding the return of jailed opposition lawmaker Can Atalay to the assembly. The confrontation began when Ahmet Sik, a member of the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP), was attacked by ruling AKP party MPs after he made remarks criticizing them for labeling Atalay as a terrorist.
Background on Can Atalay’s Imprisonment
Atalay, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2022 for allegedly organizing the 2013 Gezi Park protests against the government, was elected to parliament in May 2023. Despite his election, parliament initially stripped him of his seat, a decision later overturned by Turkey’s Constitutional Court on August 1, 2024.
Ahmet Sik’s Remarks and the Trigger for the Brawl
During the debate, Sik accused the AKP lawmakers of being the “biggest terrorists” in parliament, which triggered the physical altercation. Video footage shows AKP MPs rushing to the lectern, leading to a violent scuffle involving dozens of lawmakers, with blood visible on the steps of the speaker’s podium.
Parliamentary Response and Recess
Following the brawl, the deputy parliament speaker declared a recess. When the session resumed after more than three hours, both Sik and AKP’s Alpay Ozalan, who physically assaulted Sik, were reprimanded for their actions.
Opposition’s Condemnation
The incident drew condemnation from opposition leaders. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the fight “shameful” and criticized the violence, especially towards female lawmakers. Gulistan Kocyigit, chairwoman of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DEM), who was also punched during the brawl, accused the ruling party of using violence to suppress opposition voices.
Previous Incidents of Violence in Turkish Parliament
While brawls in the Turkish parliament are rare, they are not unheard of. Just two months prior, in June 2024, a similar scuffle occurred between AKP and DEM party MPs over the detention and replacement of a DEM Party mayor in southeast Turkey for alleged militant links. The TIP has also reiterated its demand for the release of Atalay from prison.
