WASHINGTON - US authorities on Thursday announced arrest warrants had been issued for 12 members of Turkish President Recep Erdogan's security detail for assaulting protesters in Washington last month, sparking a furious response from the Turkish leader.
Erdogan said the United States had no right to arrest his guards, who he said were protecting him from "terrorists".
The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the US ambassador in for discussions after the announcement.
"It has been conveyed to the ambassador that this decision taken by US authorities is wrong, biased and lacks legal basis; that the brawl in front of the Turkish ambassador's residence was caused by the failure of local security authorities to take necessary measures," the ministry said in a statement.
But Washington held that Erdogan's security detail had no justification to attack the small group of protesters outside the Turkish ambassador's residence on May 16, just after Erdogan met with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Nine people were injured, with several going to the hospital for treatment of head injuries, broken teeth, deep cuts and bruises.
The charges against the 12, along with six other Turkish-Americans and Turkish-Canadians who joined the melee, "send a clear message that the US does not tolerate individuals who use intimidation and violence to stifle freedom of speech and legitimate political expression," said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
Erdogan lashed back, accusing US police of having allowed "terrorists" to protest "50 meters from me" during his US visit.
"Why would I bring my guards with me to the US, if not to protect me?" he said in a speech in Ankara, adding that US police "did nothing".
"We will fight politically and judicially" against the warrants, he added.
Strained relations
The incident outside the Turkish ambassador's residence during Erdogan's visit has strained US-Turkish relations.
The Turkish president's guards intervened in a group of protesters in front of the residence in Washington on May 16 while the group was chanting anti-Erdogan slogans.
The 12 men named in the warrants were identified in detailed video footage of the assault, said Washington Police Chief Peter Newsham. The men, all Turkish citizens, include nine Erdogan security guards and three Turkish police.
Ap - Xinhua
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