Fox News reported on Friday that footage captured the moment fists flew in Turkey's parliament after an opposition member called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party a “terrorist organization.”

The brawl began when Alpay Ozalan, a member of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), attacked Ahmet Cik, a member of the Workers' Party, after claiming that he was a “terrorist”. Fox News Reported.

The attack came after Turkey's Grand National Assembly was debating Can Atalie, a Workers' Party member serving an 18-year prison sentence for his role in 2013 anti-government protests that challenged President Erdogan's rule, according to the media. (RELATED: Video shows massive fight erupts after Georgia lawmaker punches rival in the head)

Violence broke out in Turkey's parliament after opposition lawmakers attacked him after calling for his colleague Can Atalay to join parliament. Atalay was jailed for plotting to overthrow the government but was later elected to parliament. https://t.co/M4NyyckHNu pic.twitter.com/HovObp0gAd

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 16, 2024

“I'm not surprised that you call Khan Atarai a terrorist, just like you call everyone who is not on your side,” Sik said. “But the biggest terrorists are the people sitting here right now.”

Footage of the melee shows deputies punching each other, throwing papers, and screaming and yelling in the background. One female deputy can be heard yelling “Stop it!” as other deputies charge in, trying to punch or restore peace.

“This is a shameful situation,” said Ozgur Ozer, a lawmaker from the Republican People's Party. Associated Press“Instead of words flying, fists are flying. There's blood on the ground. They're hitting women.”

According to Fox News, Ozer was apparently referring to a female lawmaker who was beaten so badly that her blood was splattered on the Capitol podium.

International human rights The groups claim Atalay, who remains incarcerated despite running for office from prison in 2023 and being elected, is being held for political reasons, according to Fox News.

According to the media, the Constitutional Court ruled on August 1 that Atalay was entitled to his seat, but lower courts have ignored the ruling and Atalay remains in detention.

According to Fox News, three hours after the riot, Congress resumed and the Speaker of the Assembly reprimanded both Thicke and Ozalan for their roles in the melee.