Brawl occurs in Turkish parliament

Scuffles break out during debate over corruption scandal

1/23/2014

ANKARA, Turkey  — A brawl has occurred in Turkey’s parliament during a debate over the corruption scandal that has ensnared Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, and an opposition legislator was punched in the face and hospitalized.

The scuffles erupted today as parliament prepared to resume debate on a much-criticized draft bill that would tighten the government’s control over the judiciary as it fights the corruption probe, which has become one of the most serious threats to its decade in power.

The opposition says the measure would allow Erdogan to quash corruption inquiries.

Hundreds of police officials and dozens of prosecutors already have been removed from key positions, including some involved in the corruption probe.

Opposition legislators stormed out of the assembly to protest the violence.

The debate was adjourned until Friday.