US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued a statement on June 15 regarding charges that were to be brought against 12 Turkish officials over violence at a rally during the May 16 visit to Washington of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.“The charges filed against 12 Turkish security officials 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," Tillerson was quoted as saying by State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert, who spoke during a press briefing.“The State Department will continue to work with law enforcement and the relevant legal authorities in the case. When an outcome is reached, the department will determine if any additional steps will need to be taken.”Asked if the US would seek the extradition of the officials, Nauert said, “we are taking a look and examining the investigation’s findings. We will weigh what additional steps will need to be taken. Our actions will be responsive and proportional to the charges. Our focus is to work with law enforcement officials to ensure that those who are responsible for the violence are held accountable for those actions.”She said she was unable to answer a question regarding what the US would do if the officials went to a third country with which the US had an extradition treaty.She also said she was unable to answer a question about a planned trip by Erdogan to the UN in September, and whether he would have to bring a new security detail.“I don’t know if he would have to bring an entirely new security detail. Presumably – and I don’t want to get into hypotheticals, but visa applications would have to come through for those security personnel who would be brought,” she said.“I can’t say whether or not they would be issued visas because that’s something that’s considered to be confidential, but visa applications are not always granted for a variety of reasons.” Credit: US State Department via Storyful