The threatening language of the United States will not benefit anyone, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, as relations between the NATO allies soured over the case of a U.S. pastor jailed in Turkey on terrorism charges.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey would not make compromises regarding the independence of the judiciary, and said the remarks of the “evangelist, zionist mentality” in the United States was unacceptable.
He also said his foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, would hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting in Singapore.
Trump threatens Turkey sanctions over pastor Andrew Brunson
US President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence have threatened Turkey with sanctions if it fails to release jailed pastor Andrew Brunson.
The evangelical from North Carolina has been in detention for nearly two years, accused of having links to banned political groups.
However, President Trump demanded his immediate release, or Turkey, a Nato ally, would face “large sanctions”.
The Turkish foreign ministry called the US demands “unacceptable”.
“No-one can give orders to Turkey and threaten our country,” said spokesperson Hami Aksoy.
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) July 26, 2018
Who is Andrew Brunson?
He is a long-term resident in Turkey. He lived with his wife and three children while working as the pastor of the small Izmir Resurrection Church, which had a congregation of about two dozen Protestants.
The authorities accuse him of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Gulenist movement, which Turkey blames for a 2016 failed coup.
Mr Brunson has denied charges of espionage, but faces up to 35 years in jail if found guilty.
He was moved into house arrest on Wednesday for health reasons, but US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said this was not enough.
Why is the US speaking out?
Mr Pence also sent out a series of strongly worded tweets, saying Turkey must act immediately or “be prepared to face the consequences”.
The vice-president, who is himself an evangelical Christian, attended the global summit on religious freedom at the state department on Thursday, which is thought to have sparked the outburst.
Mr Pompeo, who is also an evangelical, hosted the summit – the first of its kind to be held at the state department.
To President Erdogan and the Turkish government, I have a message, on behalf of the President of the United States of America. Release Pastor Andrew Brunson NOW or be prepared to face the consequences. #IRFMinisterial
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) July 26, 2018
Sanctioning a Nato ally would be an unprecedented move, but this is not the first time the idea has been mentioned.
In June, US diplomats also spoke about possible sanctions against Turkey, but related to its purchase of anti-aircraft missiles from Russia.
Analysts say this could still be an underlying motivation for the latest threat.
However, President Trump has repeatedly called for the return of captive Americans. He made a specific stand with North Korea, and three detainees were released in May ahead of his summit with leader Kim Jong-un.
It is thought standing up for a pastor will be appreciated by his Christian supporters.
US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said he believes there is an “excellent prospect” that Mr Brunson will come home.
“It has been raised with Turkey for some months now, in many forms, at every level of government,” he said.
