ISTANBUL
A group of 12 Turks were charged for attacks on three U.S. sailors on Wednesday, Istanbul Prosecutor Office said on Thursday.
The suspects were charged with “insult,” “inflicting injury,” and “violation of protest and rally law.” All 12 were released as the investigation is still ongoing.
In a video posted on the Internet on Wednesday, members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB) are seen assaulting three U.S. sailors by grabbing them and pulling sacks over their heads.
The American sailors, assigned to the USS Ross, were on their shore leave and visiting the city without their uniform. They were then chased amid the chants of "Yankees go home."
After the video footage appeared on the web, 12 people were taken into custody Wednesday.
The attack has drawn condemnation from both the U.S. and Turkey.
“We condemn this disrespectful act, which is in no way tolerable," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic late Wednesday.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington was “deeply troubled by the assault.”
TGB calls itself an anti-imperialist and nationalist group on its website.
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