Police Seek Arrest of 14 in DC Turkey Embassy Brawl

Police in Washington have issued arrest warrants for 14 people, including Turkish security agents, for their alleged role in assaulting protesters outside the Turkish Embassy following a visit to the White House by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month.

“Using video of the incident, law enforcement has been able to identify the majority of the suspects who were involved in the assault,” Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham told a news conference Thursday.

WATCH: DC Mayor on arrests, charges

Thirteen men and one woman are still wanted. Two of these suspects have been identified as U.S. citizens, Newsham said, adding that they would release screen grabs from video footage of the incident to ask the public for help in identifying other suspects.

Two suspects were arrested Wednesday for their alleged role in assaulting protesters.

The Metropolitan Police Department said in a brief statement Wednesday that Sinan Narin was arrested in Virginia on an aggravated assault charge and Eyup Yildirim was arrested in New Jersey on charges of assault with significant bodily injury and aggravated assault. The department released no further details about the men.

It was not clear if the men were supporters of Erdogan or the protesters.

The fracas strained relations between the United States and Turkey, with Washington calling the conduct of Turkish guards “deeply disturbing.” Eleven people were hurt in what Washington’s police chief called a “brutal attack” on peaceful protesters.

The brawl took place outside the residence of Turkey’s ambassador to Washington shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Erdogan at the White House.

Video of the protest shot by VOA’s Turkish service shows security guards and some Erdogan supporters attacking a small group of protesters. Men in dark suits and others were recorded repeatedly kicking one woman as she lay curled up on a sidewalk. Another wrenched a woman’s neck and threw her to the ground. A man with a bullhorn was repeatedly kicked in the face.

WATCH: VOA Turkish service video of the incident

After police officers struggled to protect the protesters and ordered the men in suits to retreat, several of the men dodged the officers and ran into the park to continue the attacks. In all, nine people were hurt.

 

The Turkish Embassy claimed without evidence that Erdogan’s bodyguards were acting in “self-defense” during the incident, and that the protesters were affiliated with the PKK.

your ad here


leave a reply