Violence erupts during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s speech in New York

Erdogan was speaking at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square when a few people in the audience began shouting.

Videos posted on social media show what appears to be a security guard punching an American protester and numerous people being beat up. It is unclear whether any of Erdogan’s bodyguards were involved in the violence.

According to the New York Times, the New York Police Department reported that at about five protesters were “briefly” detained but not arrested. No injuries were reported to police.

The committee did not respond to an email asking for comment. Erdogan is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

This is not the first accusation of violence by members of Erdogan’s security detail.

Nineteen people, including 15 members of Erdogan’s security detail, were indicted for attacking peaceful protesters outside of the country’s Washington, D.C., embassy in May.

Earlier Thursday, Erdogan and President Trump held a press conference, with them both referring to each other as a “friend.” Trump did not answer a question about the indictments.

Trump opened his remarks Thursday by introducing Erdogan, saying he is “running a very difficult part of the world. He has evolved very strongly, and frankly he’s getting very high marks.”

Erdogan said on Tuesday that Trump called him to apologize after the indictments. Erdogan has been criticized for consolidating power after a controversial referendum expanded his executive powers.

In his speech to the UN, Erdogan criticized a bid for Kurdish independence.