In a chaotic scene, Turkish parliament devolved into a physical brawl as lawmakers clashed over the fate of opposition deputy Can Atalay, whose parliamentary immunity was revoked earlier this year. The altercation resulted in injuries and the suspension of the hearing, ultimately leading to a vote against reinstating Atalay’s mandate. Atalay, a lawyer and rights activist, had won his seat while in prison after an election campaign. The violence erupted when a ruling party member attacked an opposition member who criticized the government’s treatment of Atalay.
The tense situation highlighted the deep political divisions in Turkey, with opposition leaders denouncing the violence and calling for sanctions against the instigators. Atalay’s removal from parliament sparked a legal battle that led to a constitutional crisis, ultimately overturned by the constitutional court. The incident underscores the ongoing struggle for political power and the erosion of democratic norms in Turkey’s government.
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