A brawl between deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition parties left 5 opposition deputies wounded.
The incident took place last night during a close door parliamentary session on homeland security draft.
The fight left Ertuğrul Kürkçü (Peoples’ Democratic Party), Musa Çam, Aykut Erdoğdu, Refik Eryılmaz and Mahmut Tanal (Republican People’s Party) wounded. It was also reported that Çam and Eryılmaz have been transferred to Başkent Hospital. Their situation were said to be stable.
“I saw the parliament bell on deputy’s head”
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü has been wounded in the head. He claimed that he received a coup as he was protecting fellow party deputy Sabahat Tuncel from.
“I saw the parliament bell on deputy’s head,” he said. “They attacked with gavel and fists and metal stools.”
He continued as follows:
“There have always been some brawling in the parliament but I have been seen something like this one. Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies made a demonstration about the police force once they are able to pass this law. We have only seen the demo, however it boosted up out strength to oppose this law.”
“AKP’s group interim president started all”
HDP deputy Sabahat Tuncel, on the other hand, explained the event as follows: “They first walked over me and Pervin Buldan. Male violence is everywhere…AKP’s group interim president Mustafa Elitaş started the fight. Many of our friends tried to protect us. Some came to defend and other came to attack."
"Musa Çam was unable to get up for a while"
Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Melda Onur said the incident broke out as AKP deputies intervened after HDP’s women deputies marched towards the podium. Onur also added that the brawl included moments where some deputies chased their counterparts with gavels and threw glasses in the air.
Melda Onur reported that one brawl was interrupted by medics after CHP deputy Musa Çam fell over flowers and was unable to get up for a while. Onur lastly added that Sebahat Tuncel was wounded from her hand. (HK/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.
