The New York Times has analyzed videos of 24 men — some of whom were members of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail —attacking protestors last week, and one of the videos appears to show the guards starting the fight moments after speaking to the Turkish leader.
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Video appears to show Turkish President Erodgan ordering security to beat peaceful protesters on US soil
One video shows Erdogan's head of security speaking to the Turkish leader before rushing in and starting the fight.
One video shows Erdogan's head of security, speaking to the Turkish leader, and then speaking into his earpiece, before rushing in and starting the fight with three other guards.
Erdogan's presidency has been harsh on Turkish journalists. He has jailed at least 144 journalists and shut down or took control of more than 150 media outlets since 2014.
In July 2016, a faction of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow Erdogan, who blamed the coup attempt on a IslamicFethullah Gülen. At least 248 people were killed, and over one thousand more were injured.
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He later had more than 30,000 people arrested in connection with the coup. He's also pledged to bring anyone associated with Gulen to justice, and has even called for the plotters to be executed.
He still managed to get re-elected in April, however, despite many in the opposition parties claiming the votes were manipulated.
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