Turkish Opposition Leader Assaulted in Parliament

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of Turkey`s opposition CHP (People's Republican Party). Photo by EPA/BGNES

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey's main opposition party CHP, was assaulted in Parliament on Tuesday.

An assailant entering the Parliament building as a visitor kicked and punched Kilicdarogluu several times, making him fall on the floor and breaking his glasses, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

The attacker, reportedly a member of an association affiliated with ultra-nationalist Great Union Party, was later detained by the police.

He explained that he had "set his mind" to punch Kilicdaroglu.

The attacked Republican People's Party (CHP) meanwhile appeared on Parliament's rostrum and urged restraint, but also added that "no pressure or violence" could bring the opposition to its knees.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) issued a statement expressing condemnation of what they consider "an act of aggression against democracy and freedom of opinion".

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