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US President Donald Trump declared that US will impose sanctions on Turkey for long time detainment of US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson.
Making the statement on Twitter, Trump said:
“The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!”
The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 26 Temmuz 2018
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Noone dictates Turkey
Turkey responded on Twitter as well following Trump’s tweet:
In his tweet, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, “Noone dictates Turkey. We will never tolerate threats from anybody. Rule of law is for everyone; no exception”.
Another statement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We urge the US Government to leave aside this wrong statement and return to constructive dialogue that we have carried out to date”.
Noone dictates Turkey. We will never tolerate threats from anybody. Rule of law is for everyone; no exception.
— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) 26 Temmuz 2018
Presidency: Threatening language is unacceptable
Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said, “It’s not possible to approve the threatening language used by the US government against us, a NATO ally”.
“Financial limitation” bill on Turkey
The US Senate passed the bill that limits Turkey getting loan from international financial institutions until “Turkey end unjust detention of US citizens” last week.
On previous day, US Senate and the House of Representatives temporarily stopped delivery of F-35 jets to Turkey despite US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis’ objection.
"You have a priest, too"
Turkey learned the arrest of Brunson during the meeting of the President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump on July 17, 2017. At the meeting, Trump demanded that the Pastor Brunson be released from prison.
As for President Erdoğan, he proposed the exchange of US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen, the head of Gülen Community, which is charged with plotting the coup attempt on Jul 15, 2016, with Brunson.
"The US wants extradition of a priest from us. You have a priest too. You hand him over us as well", Erdoğan said. (PT/TK)
