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U.S. Threatens Sanctions Unless Turkey Releases American Pastor
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to slap "large sanctions" on Turkey unless Ankara freed an American pastor whose detention has further strained relations between the NATO allies.
"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," Trump wrote in a tweet.
"He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!"
Shortly before, Vice President Mike Pence, a devout Christian, leveled a similar threat directly at Turkey's president.
"To President (Tayyip) 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," Pence said at a religious freedom event hosted by the U.S. State Department.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously linked Brunson's return to the US to the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric Turkey's government holds responsible for the failed July 2016 military coup.
Gulen, who denies orchestrating the coup attempt, lives in Pennsylvania.
Turkish requests for his arrest and extradition have not been granted.
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018...urity-usa.html
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/...152149447.html
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Shame on you USA! How can you keep terrorist Fethullah Gulen safe in his mansion and dare to want us to release Brunson??! It's not even president's job to release or arrest people. We have an independent judiciary!
Besides, there are many pastors and rabbis in Turkey. They are not arrested for just spreading Christianity or Judaism? Why Brunson is arrested? What a nonsense!
Guys I believe we must be ready to fight to defend our country against a possible USA neo-con invasion! I will fight till the last drop of my blood?! What about the other Turks here?
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