The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department released a video on Saturday of eight more “persons of interest” believed to be in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s security detail who were involved in an attack on protesters in front of the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington last month.
According to the video, eight individuals dressed mainly in the suits and uniforms that were worn by Erdoğan’s security detail during his visit to the US on May 16 are being sought by the police.
Urging the public to inform them of the suspects’ whereabouts, the DC Police Department said information provided could be eligible for a reward.
The Washington Post reported on Thursday that a dozen security guards for Erdoğan are now wanted by D.C. police, who on Thursday declared them criminal suspects and accused them of attacking peaceful protesters during a visit to Washington in May.
According to the report, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said during a press conference on Thursday that “rarely have I seen in 28 years of policing the type of thing I saw in Sheridan Circle [in front of the Turkish ambassador’s residence]. … We all saw the violence that was perpetrated against peaceful protesters, and it’s not something that we’re going to tolerate.”
At the press conference the police read out the names of the suspects, who were identified, with the help of the State Department, by matching surveillance video from the altercation to entry visas and passports. All are charged with various degrees of assault.
Following are the 12 people wanted by the DC Metropolitan Police Department in relation to the attack on protesters in May:
- Turgut Akar, a Turkish security official, charged with misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- İsmail Dalkıran, a Turkish security official, charged with misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Servet Erkan, a Turkish security official, charged with felony assault with significant bodily injury and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Tugay Erkan, a Turkish security official, charged with felony assault with significant bodily injury and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Ahmet Karabay, a Turkish security official, charged with misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Feride Kayasan, a Turkish security official, charged with misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Lütfü Kutluca, a Turkish security official, charged with misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Mustafa Murat Sümercan, a Turkish security official, charged with felony assault with significant bodily injury and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Gökhan Yıldırım, a Turkish security official, charged with felony assault with significant bodily injury
- İsmail Ergündüz, a Turkish security official, charged with felony assault with significant bodily injury and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Mehmet Sarman, a Turkish security official, charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Hamza Yurteri, a Turkish security official, charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
- Mahmut Sami Ellialti, charged with felony aggravated assault and felony assault with significant bodily injury
- Ahmet Cengizham Dereci, charged with felony assault with significant bodily injury and misdemeanor assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner
In related news on Wednesday, two Turkish men resident in the United States were arrested by US Marshals for their role in the beating of protesters, according to a report by The Daily Caller.
Speaking during an iftar dinner on Thursday night at the presidential palace in Ankara, Erdoğan slammed the US decision to issue arrest warrants for his bodyguards and said he would initiate a political and legal battle against the arrest warrants for his security personnel.
“They have issued arrest warrants for my security detail. What kind of a law is this, what kind of a judiciary is this? We will wage political and legal battle [against the decision],” he said.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said there will be no tolerance for those using intimidation and violence to suppress freedom of expression over an arrest decision issued for the bodyguards of Erdoğan.
The demonstrators had gathered to protest the policies of Erdoğan, who was in the capital for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. When Erdoğan later arrived at the ambassadorial residence, his security detail, along with supporters of the Turkish president, was captured in video footage brutally attacking the group of demonstrators. Nine people were injured in the melee.
Erdoğan was also seen in the footage watching his bodyguards assault the protesters.
The Turkish Embassy at the time claimed that Erdoğan’s bodyguards were acting in self-defense and that the protesters were affiliated with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party, allegations denied by the demonstrators.