Bloodbath in Turkish parliament after major battles

The commotion began when Alpay Ozalan of President Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) stood up and pushed leftist politician Ahmet Sik while he was speaking.

Several others then rushed to the podium and the fighting was in full swing. Photos and videos from the room show one politician being punched in the mouth. Order was not restored for 30 minutes. At least two members of parliament were injured.

After another three-hour break, the chairman resumed the session. The parliament then decided to reprimand both Özalan and Sik.

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Members decided And a “no” vote on the issue that caused the dispute, whether Sik's party colleague Kaan Atalay would be allowed to return to the National Assembly.

In a disputed trial, Atalay was sentenced to a lengthy prison term in 2022 on charges of helping organize anti-government protests in 2013. From prison, he ran for parliament in last year’s elections — and managed to secure a seat for the left-wing Tepe party.

Parliament earlier this year decided to expel Atalay after Turkey’s top court upheld the ruling. But in early August, the Constitutional Court overturned the parliament’s earlier decision.

Before the fight broke out, Ozalan verbally attacked Atalay from the platform, and then Sik, according to Russia Today. The Guardian He referred to the Justice and Development Party politicians and said:

– All citizens should know that the biggest terrorists in this country sit in these seats.