"This behavior is sadly routine for President Erdoğan on Turkish soil," said Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), who asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a letter this week to 'immediately' expel any of the guards involved in that 2017 violence if they are on this week's trip to Washington.
"The Erdoğan regime's use of violence against innocent civilians anywhere is inhumane, uncivilized, and unacceptable," Cheney wrote.
This was what the scene looked like on May 16, 2017, as Turkish security forces broke through police lines, and openly attacked protesters on the streets of the nation's capital.
Some of the most graphic video was shot by the Voice of America's Turkish Service.
#Erdoğan'ın korumaları kavgaya karıştı https://t.co/gsi1iQ68Ye #amerikaninsesi pic.twitter.com/Jv3g5E7AVA
— Amerika'nın Sesi (@VOATurkish) May 17, 2017
A video has been released in which Erdogan watches as his bodyguards attack protesters in Washington. pic.twitter.com/H1jFM28XzN
— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) May 20, 2017
A reminder what happened last time Erdogan visited DC. His security detail attacked protesters in front of the ambassador's residence. https://t.co/wPDx4MT7oX
— Nick Barracca (@NBarracca) November 7, 2019
Aggressive attack by pro-Erdogan supporters on protesters in Washington DC near Turkey ambassador's residence an hour ago #TwitterKurds #US pic.twitter.com/Koefh8qHAJ
— Mare 🌿 #NoFlyZone4Rojava (@nighttides) May 16, 2017
At least nine people were injured in the attacks, which took place several hours after the Turkish leader met with President Trump.
An in-depth review of multiple videos of the May 16, 2017, violence left no doubt as to the actions of the Erdoğan security detail, with descriptions of guards who 'punched a protestor' or 'kicked man on ground,' and 'knocked over woman, kicked man,' or 'choked, slammed woman.'
In court documents revealed in recent days, U.S. security officials said the Turkish bodyguards also attacked American Secret Service agents during the incident, but were quickly spirited out of the country, and thus avoided any legal charges.
A grand jury in Washington, D.C. indicted 15 Turkish security guards, but most of the charges were ultimately dropped.
Several months after the incident, the Turkish leader said in an interview that President Trump had apologized for the incident - the White House denied that had occurred.
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