US sanctions two Turkish officials over pastor's detention

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Europe

00:35

The United States on Wednesday hit two top Turkish officials with sanctions over the ongoing detention of an American pastor facing terror charges, heaping pressure on Ankara to release the prisoner fueling a bitter diplomatic feud.

The move targeting Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu further ratcheted up tensions between the NATO allies, with Ankara vowing to retaliate over the measures and what it dubbed an "aggressive attitude."

Andrew Brunson, who led a Protestant church in the Aegean city of Izmir, was placed under house arrest last week after nearly two years in jail on charges of espionage and supporting terror groups. He faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted.

July 25, 2018: US pastor Andrew Brunson is escorted by Turkish plainclothes police officers to his house in Izmir. /VCG Photo

"We've seen no evidence that Pastor Brunson has done anything wrong, and we believe he's a victim of unfair and unjust attention by the government of Turkey," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told journalists.

"At the president's direction, the Department of the Treasury is sanctioning Turkey's minister of justice and minister of interior, both of whom played leading roles in the arrest and detention of Pastor Brunson."

Turkey's foreign ministry did not waste time in hitting back, saying: "There is no doubt that this will greatly damage constructive efforts working to solve the issues between the two countries."

"Without delay, there will be a response to this aggressive attitude that will not serve any purpose," the ministry added. "We call on the US administration to turn back from this wrong decision."

June 7, 2018: White House Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders (L) calls on reporters to ask US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo questions in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. /VCG Photo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, and has plans to meet him next week to demand Brunson's freedom, the State Department said.

"Turkey knows our position well: Pastor Brunson must be released from house arrest and brought back home," Pompeo's spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters traveling with him.

"This has gone on far too long."

Pompeo said Trump had decided that sanctions were "the appropriate action."

Detained in October 2016, Brunson stood accused of carrying out activities on behalf of two organizations Ankara considers terror groups.

He denies the charges and his defense team argues the case is built on questionable witness statements. His next hearing is set for October 12.

Source(s): AFP