Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) released the following statement on reports that federal prosecutors have issued 12 arrest warrants for Turkish security officials in connection with the May 16 attacks outside the Turkish residence in Washington:

“I’m encouraged by the U.S. Attorney’s action.  The violent attacks by Turkish security forces on peaceful protestors in Washington were completely and totally unjustified.  Now, the State Department should double down on efforts to help bring these individuals to justice.  And furthermore, the Department should reject the proposed sale of $1.2 million of semi-automatic handguns and ammunition to these security forces.  These types of unprovoked attacks on innocent Americans and their Constitutional rights can never happen again.”

###