Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that US President Donald Trump apologized to him over a violent clash that occurred in May between Turkish officials and protesters outside the Turkish embassy in Washington, DC.
ADVERTISEMENT
Turkish president: Trump told me he was 'sorry' for bloody protest in DC
Video from the May incident at the Turkish embassy showed Turkish officials violently attacking protesters.
"I'm very sorry about that," Erdogan told Judy Woodruff of PBS Newshour in a clip released Tuesday. "Actually, President Trump called me about a week ago about this issue. He said that he was sorry, and he told me that he was going to follow up on this issue when we come to the United States within the framework of an official visit."
Video from the protest, which occurred while Erdogan was visiting the United States, showed Turkish security guards and Erdogan supporters attacking a group of protesters, in some cases punching and repeatedly kicking protesters lying on the ground.
A Washington grand jury later indicted 19 people involved in the attack, 15 of whom were identified as Turkish security officials. But Erdogan maintains that the protesters instigated the aggression, and blamed local law enforcement for not stepping in sooner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Woodruff questioned Erdogan on the discrepancy in his account, prompting the Turkish leader to apologize.
It was unclear from the clip what exactly Erdogan was apologizing for, and the Turkish leader didn't elaborate on his claim of Trump's apology.
A White House official denied Erdogan's claim in an email to Business Insider.
"They discussed a wide range of issues but there was no apology," the official said.
Foreign-policy experts agreed the incident likely complicated an already-strained US relationship with Turkey. Several US officials condemned the violence and demanded a firm response.
ADVERTISEMENT
All 19 of those indicted in June are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and face up to 15 years in prison. However, all but two of them remain at large.
Watch the clip below:
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
ADVERTISEMENT