Arrest warrants out for Turkish agents, others in DC melee

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police in the U.S. capital are seeking the arrest of a dozen Turkish security agents and two others accused of taking part in a violent attack on protesters during an official visit by Turkey's president, a melee that became a major irritant in U.S.-Turkish ties.

District of Columbia Police Chief Peter Newsham joined Mayor Muriel Bowser at a news conference Thursday to announce arrest warrants issued for nine Turkish security agents, three Turkish police officers and two Canadians.

Relations were severely strained even before the melee, which came as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived May 16 at the Turkish ambassador's residence after a White House meeting with President Donald Trump.

American officials have strongly criticized Turkey's government and Erdogan's security forces for the violence; the State Department summoned Turkey's U.S. ambassador to complain.

Turkey's U.S. embassy alleged the demonstrators were associated with the PKK, which has waged a three-decade-long insurgency against Turkey and is considered a terrorist group by the United States.