Germany: Turkish Guards Wanted in U.S. for Brawl Unwelcome During Erdogan's G20 Appearance

German Foreign Ministry takes stand against entry of security guards who brawled with protesters in Washington last month

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In this frame grab from video provided by Voice of America, members of Erdogan's security detail are shown violently reacting to peaceful protesters during Erdogan's trip last month to Washington.
/AP

The German government says it doesn’t expect to see Turkish security agents accused of attacking protesters in Washington during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the upcoming Group of 20 summit in Hamburg.

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Germany is hosting the leaders of the G-20 powers July 7-8. Police in Washington have issued arrest warrants for a dozen Turkish agents accused in last month’s incident.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said Monday he could “assume with a good conscience that these people who have been incriminated by American judicial authorities won’t set foot on German soil in the foreseeable future, including during the G-20 summit.”

Schaefer wouldn’t confirm or deny an unsourced report in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that his ministry made clear to Turkey the bodyguards weren’t welcome.

Two men were arrested two weeks ago in connection with the brawl that hurt 11 people in what Washington's police chief described as a "brutal attack" on peaceful protesters. A police statement did not specify if the men were supporters of Erdogan, part of his security detail or protesters.

Two people, at least one of them a protester, had previously been charged.

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