US sanctions Turkish justice, interior ministers over pastor's detention

[TaiShang]

US sanctions Turkish justice, interior ministers over pastor's detention

Source:Xinhua Published: 2018/8/2


The US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday slapped sanctions on Turkey's justice and interior ministers citing their roles in the detention of a US pastor.

The Treasury said in a statement that Turkish Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gul and Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu had "played leading roles in the organizations responsible for the arrest and detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson."

"Pastor Brunson's unjust detention and continued prosecution by Turkish officials is simply unacceptable," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "President (Donald) Trump has made it abundantly clear that the United States expects Turkey to release him immediately."

Brunson, a 50-year-old Christian pastor, was detained two years ago in Turkey on spying charges, and faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty.

He was indicted on charges of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which Turkey accuses of being behind a coup attempt in 2016 to topple Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A Turkish court ruled last week agreeing to move Brunson from prison to house arrest over health concerns, but it still does not allow him to return to the United States.

As a result of Wednesday's sanctions, any property or interest in property of both Turkish ministers within US jurisdiction is blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

On the same day, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said at a press briefing that Trump has discussed the matter on "several occasions" with his Turkish counterpart Erdogan, and that "he's not happy with Turkey's decision not to release Pastor Brunson."

US Vice President Mike Pence has said that the United States will slap significant sanctions on Turkey unless it releases Brunson "immediately."

Turkey responded with a strongly worded statement. Its National Security Council said on Monday that the threatening language of the United States is "unacceptable and disrespectful."

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1113468.shtml

***

Is there any country left that the US has yet to sanction? No wonder developing countries hate receiving loans from India, China, and Brazil, and all looking forward to the US. For US is a reliable country and partner. See for yourself.

 

[war&peace]

United Christian Terrorist States of America is acting as bigoted as it can get.

 

[TaiShang]

United Christian Terrorist States of America is acting as bigoted as it can get.

These days they are fighting almost everyone. I guess these are signs of ungreaceful decline.

 

[Tshering22]

These days they are fighting almost everyone. I guess these are signs of ungreaceful decline.

I wonder why Trump is hell bent on making everyone his country's enemy.

US Allies are suffering more than enemies now.

First blocking the sale of F-35, for which Turkey paid from their pockets; now ordering a minister of a sovereign country to release a measly pastor, who probably was involved in anti-national activities in Turkey.

 

[TaiShang]

I wonder why Trump is hell bent on making everyone his country's enemy.

US Allies are suffering more than enemies now.

Maybe Trump believes in creative destruction theory. To destroy what is at hand to build something better. But, I doubt the US has the capability to build something anew. They cannot even kick-start a very simplified version of the Silk Road, and that was during the bombastic rein of Hillary as the Secretary of State.

First blocking the sale of F-35, for which Turkey paid from their pockets; now ordering a minister of a sovereign country to release a measly pastor, who probably was involved in anti-national activities in Turkey.

There may be more to it. Some say Turkey wanted a negotiation and was ready to send over the pastor in return for reclaiming some of their former bank executives now resting in a US prison. The bank executives are held in the US for violating the Iran related sanctions.

But, the deal fails at the last minute because Trump does not want to release those Turkish officials before elections. And those officials are said to have some critical information regarding corruption in high places of Turkish politics.

The whole affair stinks, I guess. It appears the two match each other perfectly well.

Watching with interest.

 

[TheBlackCoat]

"Pastor Brunson's unjust detention and continued prosecution by Turkish officials is simply unacceptable," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "President (Donald) Trump has made it abundantly clear that the United States expects Turkey to release him immediately."

President Trump would become the greatest President in the history of the USA.

I wonder why Trump is hell bent on making everyone his country's enemy.

US Allies are suffering more than enemies now.

First blocking the sale of F-35, for which Turkey paid from their pockets; now ordering a minister of a sovereign country to release a measly pastor, who probably was involved in anti-national activities in Turkey.

The burden of responsibility is on Turkey to mend its ways and partner with the USA. Enough with this backstabbing and duplicity. Turkey needs to be kicked out of NATO if they do not change their behavior.