Ahmet Şık breaks silence after being punched by Alpay Özalan: He reveals the behind-the-scenes of the ugly attack

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) convened in an extraordinary session on August 16 for Can Atalay.

Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Istanbul MP Ahmet Şık was attacked by AKP Izmir MP Alpay Özalan while he was speaking at the parliamentary podium.

Ahmet Şık broke his silence following the chaotic session. Speaking to Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz, Şık explained the behind-the-scenes of what happened in the TBMM that day.

"I HAVE A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH CAN ATALAY"

"They called Can Atalay a 'terrorist' from both the MHP and the AKP. Afterwards, the Minister of Justice made a statement regarding the non-implementation of the Constitutional Court (AYM) ruling. There is a statement by AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler, saying they would do everything in their power to ensure the ruling is not implemented. What is the meaning of Güler making such a statement? He is saying, 'I want tension.' It started in such an environment. I have a personal connection with Can Atalay, it hurts me. I went up there with that anger.

(...) There are certain factors that determine when an incident will occur in Parliament. If the person managing the AKP group intervenes while standing, there is definitely a fight and an attack. That is my six years of experience. Someone from the opposition was definitely going to be attacked.

"I WAS PUNCHED ON THE GROUND"

The attack carried out by Alpay was very organized. It was decided in advance. He makes eye contact with Bozdağ. There are 5-6 AKP members behind him. He comes to the podium. He intervenes the moment Bozdağ rings the gong and closes the session. The others follow him. I am shouting so that my voice can be heard. I noticed Alpay at the last moment, I raised my hand to intervene, my foot slipped while he was trying to hit me, and I fell. I was punched on the ground. What followed was a melee. I don't know who is who. It was a chaotic environment.

"WHAT I DID WAS SELF-DEFENSE"

Alpay made the first intervention. AKP Izmir MP Eyüp Kadir İnan. They attacked, 6-7 people at once; this is what they know, setting an ambush. Of course, I hit back; what I did was legitimate defense, self-defense. I am not going to just stand there and take a beating. You know the beating Ali Bozan took before. And nothing happened to anyone. To get Alpay punished, it was necessary to object to an attitude that equates words with physical action. They did not do that.

"WHAT DID HE DISCUSS WITH ÖZGÜR ÖZEL?"

I don't want to get into a polemic with Özgür Özel, but I told him that he did the wrong thing. I said, 'I don't hold a grudge against you. But what you did is wrong.' When he asked 'What is it?', I said, 'You cannot equate two actions with each other.' I am speaking words, the other side is attacking. He should respond with words. I did not insult anyone. I used the same words against them that have been used against us until today. I said, 'You are the terrorists.' Özgür's attitude is the same as the attitude that says, 'We know it is against the Constitution, but we will say yes to the lifting of immunities.'"

News Source: 12punto