Erdogan attacks US charges against aides for embassy brawl

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned on Thursday a decision by US authorities to issue arrest warrants for 12 members of his security detail accused of assaulting protesters during a brawl in Washington.

"We will fight politically and judicially" against the warrants, Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara, accusing Washington police of allowing "terrorists" to demonstrate against him when he visited the White House last month.

Washington prosecutors have charged a dozen Turkish security and police officers with assault after an attack on protesters during Erdogan's visit to the US capital on 16 May.

The charges send a clear message that the United States "does not tolerate individuals who use intimidation and violence to stifle freedom of speech and legitimate political expression," US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement.

Once the legal case is concluded, the department "will determine if any additional steps will need to be taken," Tillerson said in the statement read by a spokeswoman to reporters.

The daytime brawl outside the Turkish ambassador's residence left nine protesters injured and strained US-Turkish relations.

"This decision taken by US authorities is wrong, biased and lacks legal basis," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, blaming local security authorities for failing to prevent the fight.

A video posted online showed men in dark suits chasing protesters and punching and kicking them as Washington police struggled to intervene.

"I condemn this attack," Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters at a news conference announcing the charges. "It was an affront to our values."

Arrest warrants for the members of Erdogan's security detail have been issued, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said.

"If they attempt to enter the United States, they will be arrested," he said.

Newsham said there was no probable cause to arrest Erdogan, who watched the confrontation unfold from a nearby car.

A total of 18 people have been charged in the incident. They include two Canadians and four Americans, according to prosecutors.

Two men were arrested on Wednesday. Sinan Narin of Virginia faces a charge of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor assault, and Eyup Yildirim of New Jersey faces two charges of felony assault and a misdemeanor assault charge.

Some additional suspects still have not been identified, the police chief said.