U.S. lawmakers call to condemn Turkey after Washington street brawl

Record ID: 875837

  • Title: U.S. lawmakers call to condemn Turkey after Washington street brawl
  • Date: 25th May 2017
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MAY 25, 2017) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MS. LUSIK USOYAN, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT EZIDI RELIEF FUND, WHO SAYS SHE WAS ATTACKED BY TURKISH SECURITY FORCES OUTSIDE THE TURKISH EMBASSY, SAYING: "It happened very quickly. I didn't have a chance to think, to run away, or to protect myself. Next thing I know, I was on the ground and sun was kicking me in the head. I remember only one thought, I thought 'OK I'm on the ground, I don't even trying to protect myself. What's the purpose of beating me?" (SOUNDBITE) (English) MR. MURAT YASA, LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND PROTEST ORGANIZER, WHO SAYS HE WAS BEATEN BY TURKISH SECURITY FORCES OUTSIDE TURKISH EMBASSY, SAYING: "The (D.C.) police remained in front of the Turkish protesters and tried to prevent them from attacking us. But after a few minutes Erdogan's bodyguard, dressed in black suits and ties, pushed their way through the D.C. police and attack our group. Erdogan's bodyguards were joined by the Turkish security personnel, as well as supporters. There was more than 50 of them. Some armed, but all were ready to attack."
  • Embargoed: 8th June 2017 19:31
  • Keywords: senior lawmakers lawmakers protest D.C. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan Turkish embassy in Washington
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0056IC9IYV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: **EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT**
    U.S. lawmakers want the House of Representatives to formally condemn Turkish security forces' violent response to a street protest in Washington during a recent visit by President Tayyip Erdogan.
    The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing with alleged victims of the May 16 brawl between Erdogan's security forces and protesters outside the Turkish embassy.
    Witnesses said they were injured after Erdogan's bodyguards lunged past Washington, DC police and kicked and beat them to the ground.
    Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman called the incident an "attack on American sovereignty."
    At least 11 people were injured in the encounter, two so seriously they had to go to the hospital.
    Turkey blamed the violence on demonstrators linked to the militant Kurdistan Workers Party while Washington's police chief described the incident as a "brutal attack" on peaceful protesters.
    The U.S. State Department said in a statement the conduct of Turkish security personnel during the incident was "deeply disturbing."
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