Friday, June 16 2017 11:06

ArmInfo. Turkey summons US envoy over bodyguards arrest warrants.Turkey condemned the US move to seek arrest of Turkish security agents accused of taking part in Washington brawl.

Turkey's foreign ministry has called in the US ambassador to Ankara,  John Bass, for talks after US authorities issued arrest warrants for  a dozen official Turkish security guards involved in a brawl with  protesters in Washington last month.

"It has been conveyed to the ambassador that this decision taken by  US authorities is wrong, biased and lacks legal basis," the ministry  said in a statement on Thursday, blaming local authorities for  failing to take proper security measures with regards to the  "so-called protesters".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the decision on  Thursday.  Speaking at a dinner to break the Ramadan fast in Ankara,  Erdogan asked: "What kind of a law is this?" Referring to his  security detail, he said, "If they are not going to protect me, why  would I bring them with me to America?"

Erdogan said the protesters were members of an outlawed armed Kurdish  group and the US police failed to act.

He vowed to fight the decision on legal and political grounds. 

To remind, on June  15 US Police issued warrants  to arrest Turkey  President Erdogan bodyguards. Police say they've issued arrest  warrants for a dozen Turkish security agents and two others accused  of taking part in the violent altercation on May 16, which took place  as Turkey's president visited Washington.  District Police Chief  Peter Newsham announced the arrest warrants at a news conference on  Thursday, saying nine agents, three Turkish police officers and two  Canadians are being sought. He also said two arrests were made on  Wednesday.

"We all saw the violence that was perpetrated against the  protesters," Newsham said. "We're not going to tolerate this."

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the charges "send a clear  message that the United States does not tolerate individuals who use  intimidation and violence to stifle freedom of speech and legitimate  political expression."

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert declined to say what  actions might be taken, but the US could seek the extradition of the  Turkish suspects or bar them from entering the United States.   Whereas on the evening of May 16, 2017, over two dozen protesters    gathered outside of the Turkish Ambassador's residence in Washington,    D.C., to demonstrate opposition to Turkish Government policies; The   incident caused a negative response in the social and political    circles of the United States. In fact, US Secretary of State Rex    Tillerson said that he called the actions of Turkish law enforcers    unacceptable and promised to bring to justice all those responsible.   Ankara, in response to the actions and statements of Washington,  summoned Serdar Kilik, his ambassador to the US, for a consultation.