Group of 12 Turks charged over attack on US sailors
A group of 12 Turks were charged for attacks on three US sailors on Wednesday, Istanbul Prosecutor Office said on Thursday.
The suspects were charged with “insult,” “inflicting injury,” and “violation of protest and rally law”. All 12 were released as the investigation is still ongoing.
In a video posted on the Internet on Wednesday, members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), which calls itself an anti-imperialist and nationalist group on its website, are seen assaulting three US sailors in Istanbul by grabbing them and pulling sacks over their heads.
After the video footage appeared on the web, 12 people were taken into custody on Wednesday.
The attack has drawn condemnation from both the US and Turkey.
“We condemn this disrespectful act, which is in no way tolerable," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic late Wednesday.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington was “deeply troubled by the assault.”
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
