US prosecutors have charged a dozen Turkish security personnel after an attack on protesters during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Washington, prompting an angry denunciation by Turkey's leader.
The May 16 skirmish, which was captured on video, left nine protesters injured outside the Turkish ambassador's residence and further strained ties between the two countries.
Speaking in Ankara on Thursday at a dinner to break the Ramadan fast, Erdogan asked: "What kind of a law is this?"
Referring to his security detail, he said: "If they are not going to protect me, why would I bring them with me to America?"
Erdogan said the protesters were members of an outlawed Kurdish militant group and the US police failed to act.
He vowed to fight the decision on legal and political grounds.
Turkey's foreign ministry said the decision to charge the agents was "wrong, biased and lacks legal basis" and the melee was the fault of US police, who failed to take necessary security steps.
Erdogan's security detail returned with him to Turkey and the US could seek their extradition or bar them from entering the country.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the assault charges "send a clear message that the United States does not tolerate individuals who use intimidation and violence to stifle freedom of speech and legitimate political expression".
Eighteen people have now been charged in the incident, including two Canadians and four Americans.
