US Imposes Sanctions on Turkish Ministers

The United States government has imposed sanctions on the Turkish Minister of Justice and the Minister of Interior due to the prolonged detention of pastor Andrew Brunson, writes BBC, as reported by Patria.

The evangelical pastor from North Carolina has been in detention for almost two years due to alleged ties with political groups.

Last week, US President Donald Trump warned Turkey of "large-scale sanctions" if it did not immediately release Brunson.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders explained that the US government believes the pastor is a "victim of baseless and unjust imprisonment," and that they are "not aware of any evidence that Pastor Brunson has done anything wrong." Sanders added that these two Turkish ministers played "leading roles" in the arrest of the American pastor.

Consequently, the assets of both ministers within the jurisdiction of the US have been frozen, Secretary Sanders explained the sanctions.

The US Treasury Department explained in a later statement that Turkish ministers Abdulhamit Gul and Suleyman Soylu were sanctioned because they "serve as leaders of Turkish government entities responsible for serious human rights abuses by Turkey."

Before the latest development, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the US demand for Pastor Brunson's release "unacceptable."

Pastor Brunson has been living in Turkey for a long time with his wife and three children. The pastor serves a small church in Izmir.

The Turkish government has accused him of ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Gülen movement, which Turkey holds responsible for the failed coup attempt in 2016.

Brunson has denied espionage charges, but faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that they "have not seen credible evidence against Mr. Brunson."

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that "necessary information" has been forwarded to the US government, but insists that the case is being handled by the Turkish judiciary, as reported by Patria.