Turkish MPs in fatal fight inquiry

ANKARA, Turkey (Reuters) -- Two Turkish MPs have been questioned in court over the death of an opposition deputy following a fight in parliament.

The state-run Anatolian news agency said Prosecutor Bekir Selcuk had taken testimony from the two MPs and is preparing a case based on charges of involuntary killing.

Fevzi Sihanlioglu, 56, a deputy of the conservative True Path Party (DYP), died of a heart attack on Tuesday, a little over an hour after being struck in the fighting.

Initial autopsy results showed Sihanlioglu, who tried to break up the fight, had taken blows to the head but it was unclear if they were the cause of death.

The fighting broke out during a late-night debate and involved deputies of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's Democratic Left Party (DSP) and rightwing coalition partners, the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) as well as the opposition.

During the brawl, deputies traded punches and threw glasses.

Anatolian said Nationalist MPs Cahit Tekelioglu and Mehmet Kundakci had appeared before the Ankara court on Friday.

No formal charges have yet been brought but the two could potentially face up to five years in jail.

Turkish deputies have a limited immunity from prosecution, but it does not cover serious crimes.

Tuesday's fighting erupted during an emotional debate on government proposals to change lawmaking procedures, which opponents say are designed to silence opposition parties.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Turk politician dies after brawl
January 31, 2001
Brawl death: Pressure on Turkish PM
January 31, 2001

Turkish Government
Turkish Grand National Assembly (in Turkish)
Nationalist Action Party (in Turkish)
True Path Party (in Turkish)
Democratic Left Party (in Turkish)

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