According to reports, bodyguards belonging to the Turkish president's security detail were involved in what can only be described as a large-scale brawl on Tuesday.
The security men, dressed astutely in suits and ties, were recorded beating and bloodying D.C. protesters- with a few of them even kicking several Americans that were already on the ground. Records show nine people were hurt, and two other individuals were arrested, but no bodyguards were detained.
The brutal assault left many Americans outraged
The recordings, which made their way to social media, left many Americans outraged, and others clamoring for answers.
Given the brutality of the beatings inflicted by the Turkish bodyguards, the issue of just how immune foreign officials are to American law has come to the forefront of public attention.
The U.S. State Department indicated in a statement on Wednesday that America was "communicating [its] concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms."
Heather Nauert, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, also issued an additional statement condemning the violence displayed on Tuesday. She asserted that "violence is never an appropriate response to free speech," adding that America supports and advocated for the rights of people everywhere to speak freely.
Turkish officials indicate the protesters are to blame
In Turkey, government officials are reportedly blaming the protesters for the harm they suffered- claiming that those that were beaten were affiliated with "terrorist groups." No evidence was presented to back these claims.
In their own recently released statement, the Turks suggested that "the violence and injuries were the result of this unpermitted, provocative demonstration." They then added that the nation hopes that provocative actions like the ones taking by the protesters will be prevented in the future.
D.C.'s Metropolitan police force composed a tweet condemning the brutal brawl on Wednesday, a day after the events took place. According to sources, officials of the department plan to pursue all possible charges and track down anyone else that may have been involved.
As of yet, U.S. Secret Service officials have not issued any comment.
Foreign security teams are 'protected'
According to Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant, and professor at a New York College of Criminal Justice, foreign security officials are protected under "diplomatic immunity."
That means even if the protesters were to pursue a case against the Turkish men involved, it likely wouldn't get anywhere. Additionally, embassy properties located on American soil aren't necessarily under American jurisdiction. If the altercation took place on Turkish embassy grounds, America's hands are tied.
According to Giacalone, these foreign security details are used to dealing with aggressive radicals in their own nations and getting away with it all the time. He indicates that Americans need to know that these security officers "don't play."
