Victims of May 16, 2017 Turkish Presidential Security Attack File Suit Seeking Redress Of Injuries

A lawsuit has been filed against the Republic of Turkey seeking redress for the injuries sustained by individuals engaged in a peaceful protest against Turkey, which took place in Sheridan Circle in Washington, D.C. On May 16, 2017, Turkish agents, under the watchful eye of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, attacked, beat, and kicked the protesters, violating all norms of American democratic freedom of expression. The lawsuit was prepared and filed (in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) by Douglas M. Bregman, Andreas Akaras, Jennifer Wiggins, and Stephen Whelan of the Bethesda law firm of Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz and Gilday, along with Steve Perles and the attorneys of The Perles Law Firm. 

The lawsuit calls upon the Republic of Turkey to account for the unlawful and horrific conduct of its agents and brings into question the actions of its controversial leader, President Erdoğan. The shocking incident has been covered extensively in the news media and has garnered international attention. Most recently, a feature story in the Washingtonian magazine reported on the attack and the attorneys’ engagement in this controversy.

“It is unfathomable that a presidential entourage from a NATO country would attack Americans on American soil, in the heart of our nation’s capital. What happened is an affront to every American. It is unacceptable. While we understand the challenge of prosecuting a case against a country as powerful as our erstwhile ally Turkey, we are inspired by our convictions, and we believe in guarding our country’s core democratic values of freedom and liberty. You could say we are putting the old adage to the test, that the pen is mightier than the sword,” said Douglas Bregman, the firm’s chair and founder.

About Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday, LLC
BBS&G is a full-service, AV- rated law firm, located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It represents clients in a broad array of matters and is committed to providing legal representation to worthy causes.

(Photo credit: Washington Times)