Turkish parliament descends into chaos over jailed MP Can Atalay

Turkish parliamentarians experienced moments of terror on Friday. Ahmet Şık, 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 was imprisoned for organising anti-government protests.

In the recordings of the brawl, it can be seen how deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) rush to hit Ahmet Şık, who was on the podium. Then, several dozen other parliamentarians join the fight, 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 most prominent terrorists are those who sit in these chairs –, said Şık 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 organising 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 1 August, the constitutional tribunal ruled this decision invalid.