Turkish politicians apparently know how to pack a punch. Five members of parliament were injured after a brawl broke out in parliament in the early hours of Wednesday when opposition politicians tried to delay debating a controversial new security bill.
The piece of legislation has drawn criticism for expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ability to limit freedom of expression and squash dissent.
Two men had to be hospitalized and three others were injured after politicians threw chairs during the scuffles, and at least one person was hit with a gavel.
Government officials stand behind the proposed bill, and say the measures to give police heightened powers to break up demonstrations are aimed at preventing protest violence. But the Turkish opposition see the legislation as a strengthening of Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party's (AKP) power to limit opposition voices.
The bill would expand police rights to use firearms, allow them to search people or vehicles without a court order and detain people for up to 48 hours without prosecutor authorization. Police would also be permitted to use firearms against demonstrators who hurl Molotov cocktails. Demonstrators who cover their faces with masks or scarves during violent demonstrations could face four years in prison.
Crucially, the measures would give governors — not just prosecutors and judges — the right to order arrests.
In defending the bill, Erdogan said it was "aimed at protecting social order and social peace." Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu dismissed accusations that the measures will violate civil liberties, saying the goal is to protect society: "No one will be able to demonstrate with Molotov cocktails," he said over the weekend.
Metin Feyzioglu, the head of the Turkish Bar Association, said that giving local governors even limited powers to order arrests without getting court orders is tantamount to martial law. "This is an extremely dangerous development," he said.
Opposition politicians are doing everything in their power to stall and attempt to block the legislation. The beginning of the debate on the bill was scheduled for Tuesday, but hours of delays pushed the session into the early hours of Wednesday when the brawl began.
Kurdish lawmakers say they fear the new measures could be aimed at repressing Kurdish demonstrators. If passed, they warn it could jeopardize ongoing peace talks between the government and a Kurdish militant group.
"We will do all in our power to stop the bill," said pro-Kurdish party leader Selahattin Demirtas. "We will act together with all opposition legislators and cause a gridlock in parliament that will last for months."
Turkey has cracked down on freedom of expression in recent years, arresting citizens over social media posts critical of the administration. Hundreds were charged for taking part in anti-government protests in Istanbul's Taksim Square in 2013.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press.