US police arrest two Turkish men over Erdogan visit violence

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of The Republic of Turkey inspects a guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Airforce at State House, Nairobi. /FILE
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of The Republic of Turkey inspects a guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Airforce at State House, Nairobi. /FILE

Two Turkish nationals living in the US have been arrested in connection with violence outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington.

Eyup Yildirim of New Jersey and Sinan Narin of Virginia face assault charges, police said.

The brawl involving protesters and Turkish security personnel happened during a visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month.

Police called it a "brutal attack on peaceful protesters".

Erdogan was in a car parked nearby and witnessed the fighting.

Yildirim and Mr Narin were both identified as supporters of Erdogan in a detailed New York Times report into the violence.

The newspaper said the men had travelled to Washington to support the Turkish president, but it was unclear if they had a formal connection to his security detail.

Video footage showed men in suits charging past police to kick and punch protesters.

The US complained to Turkey about the incident and confirmed that Turkish security guards were involved.

However, the Turkish Embassy said protesters had provoked Turkish-Americans who were there to greet the president, and they in turn responded in self-defence.

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