Erdogan's bodyguards have been beating up people around the world. Here's how to stop them.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/06/08/erdogans-bodyguards-have-been-beating-up-people-around-the-world-heres-how-to-stop-them/
Erdogans bodyguards have been beating up people around the world. Heres how to stop them.
By Haykaram Nahapetyan | June 8
Last months scuffle between Recep Tayyip Erdogans security personnel and protesters at Washingtons Sheridan Circle was just another ring in the chain of skirmishes outside Turkey that have involved the Turkish presidents security people. Other incidents have not been as massive, but the continuing impunity contributes to the violence. On Tuesday, the House unanimously voted to pass a resolution that condemned the attack by Erdogans bodyguards. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said during the hearings: A similar incident occurred about a half dozen years ago at the United Nations. Same head of state. Same thugs attacking peaceful protesters. Last year
there was an attack on journalists outside of the Brookings [Institution]. So, if we dont tell them its time to stop, they will persist that is for sure.
Indeed, in 2011, when Erdogan visited New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly session, his bodyguards quarreled with U.N. security personnel. At least one U.N. security officers injuries required emergency medical treatment. Then-Secretary General Ban Ki-moons spokesman Martin Nesirky called it part of some unfortunate misunderstandings.
In 2015, Erdogans guards got into a fight with Belgian police at Brusselss Place Stéphanie. The next day, the two sides clashed again at Val Duchesse Chateau over whose job it was to check the rooms Erdogan was to visit.
Last year, Erdogans aggressive personnel were involved in violent incidents in Latin America as well. In Ecuador, his security team reportedly attacked Kurdish protesters and those who supported them. They attacked and broke the nose of Ecuadoran National Assembly member Diego Vintimilla.