The US State Department has condemned a violent confrontation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bodyguards and protesters in Washington, DC.
“We are communicating our concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on Wednesday. “Violence is never an appropriate response to free speech.”
The crackdown erupted earlier in the day, when protesters gathered outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence, where Erdogan was staying after meeting with his American counterpart Donald Trump at the White House.
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The peaceful protests turned into violent clashes when a group of Erdogan’s supporters taunted the first group and attacked them.
The situation escalated after Erdogan’s guards and other Turkish security personnel interfered and violently beat the protesters.
DC Police said at least 11 people were injured and two arrests were made during the…