The crowd surged across the room as members dug in fists and elbows to cause maximum damage to the opposition.
Advertisement
A fist-fight also broke out during Thursday’s committee meeting and five legislators later sought medical help.
Unhappy at a proposal to strip law makers of their immunity, a Turkish parliamentary committee erupted into an all-out brawl.
Although the measure would lift the legal immunities of all lawmakers who have legal cases pending against them, critics say the proposed amendment particularly aims to oust HDP lawmakers from parliament.
In the video, some parliamentarians can be seen launching themselves into the melee from table, while others throwing water or aimed punches at others.
President Tayyip Erdogan, founder of the AKP, has called for prosecution of some HDP members, accusing them of being connected to the outlawed militant group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Several lawmakers were hurt during the scuffle, broadcaster CNN Turk said.
Television footage shows lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) fighting in the crammed committee room after a heated verbal confrontation.
The brawl last week delayed efforts to pass legislation related to Turkey’s deal with the European Union to take migrants in exchange for visa-free travel to the EU and accelerated accession talks.
Advertisement
Under the country’s current laws Turkish politicians can not be prosecuted for any crimes whilst they are in office.
