{"id":12545,"date":"2017-06-15T20:05:52","date_gmt":"2017-06-15T20:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=12545"},"modified":"2017-06-15T20:05:52","modified_gmt":"2017-06-15T20:05:52","slug":"armenian-national-committee-of-america-comment-on-latest-arrests-and-charges-filed-against-perpetrators-of-may-16-erdogan-ordered-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=12545","title":{"rendered":"Erdogan Doubles Down on Denial As DC Police Issue Arrest Warrants for Turkish Government Security Detail"},"content":{"rendered":"

— ANCA Urges Trump Administration to Take Concrete Steps to Ensure Erdogan\u2019s Bodyguards Stand Trial<\/strong><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The Armenian National Committee of America<\/a> (ANCA) welcomed, as a meaningful step toward justice, Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser\u2019s and Police Chief Peter Newsham\u2019s in-depth investigation that led to 18 arrest warrants \u2013 including a dozen against Turkish President Recep Erdogan\u2019s bodyguards — in connection to the May 16th attacks on peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe commend the efforts of Mayor Bowser, Chief Newsham and all the law enforcement agencies involved in taking this step toward bringing the perpetrators to justice, and look forward to continuing to work with the relevant authorities to identify all involved,\u201d said ANCA Exective Director Aram Hamparian. \u201cLaw enforcement is doing its part; now it\u2019s time for the Trump Administration to take action and demand that Turkey lift any claims to diplomatic immunity for those involved in this crime, so that criminal proceedings can move forward and justice can be served.\u201d<\/p>\n

During a June 15th press conference, Mayor Bowser stated \u201cI condemn this attack. It was an affront to our values as Washingtonians and as Americans and it was a clear assault on the first amendment.\u201d<\/p>\n

DC Police Chief Peter Newsham announced the names of the dozen members of Turkish President Erdogan\u2019s security detail who have been charged with the attacks. Two Turkish-Americans have already been arrested for assault, and two Turkish Canadians have also been charged.<\/p>\n

In response to a question from The Armenian Weekly, Chief Newsham acknowledged that investigators are looking into the role of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the May 16 attack, but indicated that, despite the available video and other evidence, there is not yet sufficient probable cause to seek his arrest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have dignitaries that are in and out of this city on a daily basis. Rarely have I seen, in my almost 28 years of policing, the type of thing that I saw on Sheridan Circle on that particular day,\u201d said Chief Newsham. \u201cYou had peaceful demonstrators that were physically assaulted and the message to folks who are going to come to our city either from another state or from another country is that\u2019s not going to be tolerated in Washington, DC.\u201d<\/p>\n

The complete press conference can be viewed on the ANCA YouTube Channel:
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