US issues warrants for 12 Erdogan aides over embassy brawl
The U.S. authorities have issued arrest warrants for 12 members of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail accused of assaulting protesters during a street brawl in the US capital.
AFP reported, Washington police chief Peter Newsham said the 12 were identified in video footage of the May 16 attack on Kurdish and Armenian protesters outside the residence of Turkey’s ambassador, following a meeting between Mr Erdogan and US president Donald Trump.
The men, all Turkish citizens, include nine Erdogan security guards and three Turkish police.
"In the United States and particularly in the District of Columbia, we hold our ability to peacefully protest as a sacred right," Mr Newsham said, as quoted by the agency.
"We do not care particularly what your views are, what you support or what you do not support."
Video footage of the fracas shows Turkish security aides beating and kicking demonstrators, leaving nine people injured.
The source reminds that she State Department lodged a protest about the attack with Ankara, registering its concern in the "strongest possible terms". Mr Newsham did not say how the police hoped to arrest the 12, saying the state department would determine how to execute the warrants.
In addition to the 12, arrest warrants were issued for two Canadian citizens who took part in the brawl. Two Turkish Americans were arrested at the scene on May 16, and two more were arrested on Wednesday.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously adopted House Resolution 354 with a vote of 397-0, which condemns the violence against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence on May 16, 2017, and calls for measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).