Opposition deputy falls from stairs at Turkish parliament amid fight over security bill

urkey's Parliament descended into fresh chaos on Feb. 19 with lawmakers exchanging punches for a second time over a controversial bill to boost police powers against protesters.

Ruling party and opposition lawmakers traded blows and one opposition deputy even fell down the stairs, just before parliament was about to begin a debate on the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) new security package.

Opposition parties voiced their objections to the bill for more than three hours, arguing that the bill contradicted both parliament's internal regulations and the constitution. Eventually, heated verbal exchanges between the warring sides escalated into punches and kicks.

Tension first rose after Deputy Parliament Speaker Sad?k Yakut, who was administrating the session, repeatedly mispronounced the name of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Adil Zozani, calling him "Mr. Zazani."

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanr?kulu, standing at rostrum to address parliament, thought Yakut had addressed his name incorrectly and criticized him.

After Yakut responded by saying "Shame on you," CHP Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Akif Hamzaçebi stepped in to voice his reaction.

Zozani then addressed Yakut and told him: "You're having trouble saying names and surnames. We advise you to take a rest."

Yakut responded: "You yourself should take a rest, don't play the doctor here."

When Zozani said "I understand your psychology very well," Yakut replied by saying "You should first of all look at your own psychology."

      
Tanr?kulu, who was still waiting to give his speech at the rostrum, then addressed Yakut, saying: "I'm a member of this parliament and I...