Erdogan has yet to apologize for May 16th attack, Secretary Tillerson says
“We welcome Secretary Tillerson’s refreshingly straightforward admission that President Erdogan remains defiant and unapologetic in the face of global outrage over his May 16th attack,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “At the same time, we remain troubled that, nearly five months after this foreign attack against peaceful protesters on American soil, legal and diplomatic actions have yet to be undertaken by our government to bring his security detail back to the United States to stand trial for their actions.”
A grand jury in the U.S. capital issued indictments against 19 people, including 15 members of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan’s security detail, for their brutal May 16th attack against peaceful protesters gathered in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC. Hamparian’s live video shot at the scene showed pro-Erdogan forces crossing a police line and beating peaceful protesters – elderly men and several women – who were on the ground bleeding during most of the attack.
In June, with a vote of 397 to 0, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously condemned Turkey in response to the attacks, taking a powerful stand against Ankara’s attempts to export its violence and intolerance to America’s shores.
In September, responding to strong Congressional pressure, the Trump Administration officially withdrew its controversial proposal to allow the sale of U.S. semi-automatic handguns to Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s security detail, following outrage regarding the May 16th attacks.
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