Turkey angered as Erdogan’s aide kicks protester

A video of an aide of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicking a protester has sparked outrage in Turkey and tarnished the Turkish leader’s image ahead of his expected run for president.

Turkish newspapers on Thursday published photographs showing an adviser to Erdogan kicking a protester who was on the ground and being held by special forces police.

The incident occurred during Erdogan’s visit Wednesday to a mine disaster in the western town of Soma that killed at least 282 miners. Scores of others are missing.

The prime minister’s office distanced itself from the incident, with one official saying the issue was “his own personnel matter.” The official was not authorized to give his name to the press without authorization, which he did not have.