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Turkish legislators brawl over former colleague

ANKARA — Dozens of lawmakers became embroiled in a fisticuffs brawl in Turkey's parliament on Friday as they argued over a jailed opposition deputy stripped of his parliamentary immunity this year.

The 30-minute ruckus, which left at least two lawmakers injured, forced the suspension of the hearing. Deputies eventually returned for a vote that rejected an opposition move to restore the parliamentary mandate of lawyer and rights activist Can Atalay.

'DIGNIFIED' DIALOGUE Turkish lawmakers fight one another after a scuffle between former soccer player Alpay Ozalan (not pictured), a lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party, and opposition Workers’ Party of Turkey deputy Ahmet Sik (not pictured) at Turkey’s Grand National Assembly in the capital Ankara on Aug. 16, 2024. AFP PHOTO