The Malta Independent 28 April 2024, Sunday
View E-Paper

Watch: Turkey members of parliament brawl over changes to constitution

Associated Press Tuesday, 3 May 2016, 08:11 Last update: about 9 years ago

A Turkish parliamentary committee has approved a contentious ruling-party proposal to strip legislators of their immunity from prosecution, hours after the meeting erupted in chaos with legislators hurling bottles of water and punches at each other.

The proposed constitutional amendment, cleared by the committee late on Monday, could pave the way for the trial of several pro-Kurdish legislators on terror-related charges. The proposal was prepared after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the party of being an arm of the outlawed Kurdish rebels and repeatedly called for their prosecution.

The pro-Kurdish party lawmakers walked out of the committee meeting after the brawl, which left one legislator with a dislocated shoulder.

The draft was later approved by the remaining legislators. It must now be approved by the full assembly.

 

  • don't miss