The Washington DC Metro police Department issued arrest warrants Thursday for 12 members of Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogon's security detail who beat protesters outside the Turkish Embassy last month.
Those who took part in the fight ultimately face several felony and misdemeanor charges of assault, should they be extradited.
The New York Times reported that officials in the United States administration were privately furious over the brazen use of force against peaceful protesters -and Washington DC police officers - by Erdogan's men, and that the charges against them is part of the American punishment for the incident. Sinan Narin of Virginia was accused of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor assault, said Washington police in a brief statement. It's unclear how the arrests for the officers and agents will be carried out, but D.C. police said they will be taking "necessary steps" to apprehend the individuals. Two other men were arrested at the scene - one for aggravated assault and the other for assaulting a police officer.
Erdogan's security detail returned with him to Turkey after his visit, so it was unclear if any would face any immediate United States legal repercussions.
The U.S. State Department said it is committed to holding those responsible for the violence accountable.
The Latest on charges filed against Turkish security agents in Washington, D.C. Video of the protest recorded by VOA's Turkish service shows what appear to be security guards and some Erdogan supporters attacking a small group of protesters.
North Korea calls Donald Trump a 'psychopath'
The family of American college student Otto Warmbier said the 22-year-old died Monday, days after his release from North Korea. He had returned to the United States in a coma after being held captive in North Korea.
The two men arrested Wednesday are Turkish nationals. He said they got too close to the residence and to him.
Erdogan probably won't extradite his goons for this, so the charges are theater, but it's good to see cops defend the rights of protesters for once.
People injured in the attack and federal lawmakers have criticized the initial response, which was complicated by issues over diplomatic immunity and relations with Turkey.
Two U.S. citizens and two Canadian citizens have also been charged in the incident.
"This time, in a fit of unprecedented anger and arrogance, Erdogan's openly insulting US law enforcement and unapologetically assuming for himself the right to deny Americans our inalienable rights and Constitutional freedoms". "And the American police are not doing anything", Erdogan said.
The announcement at a news conference by the city's mayor and police chief follows a almost monthlong investigation in which police scrutinized video of protesters being kicked and hit near the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington. Things quickly become chaotic, and other videos show more dark-suited men, some carrying furled red flags, kicking and punching protesters - some in the head as they lay prone on the ground - as police tried to intercede. After the incident, The New York Times examined the video and spotted Erdogan's head of security leaning into the president's auto, and then speaking into his earpiece, just before three guards ran toward the protesters.
Comments