Turkey: US Disregard of Legal Process ‘Unacceptable’

Turkey's presidential spokesman has blasted Washington for disregarding the legal process in the case of an American pastor facing terrorism-related charges.

News ID: 71932

Date: 23 August 2018 - 13:13

TEHRAN (Defapress) - In a written statement to Reuters late Wednesday, Ibrahim Kalin said: “There is the rule of law in Turkey, and the Andrew Brunson case is a legal issue. There is an ongoing legal process related to this individual.

“It goes without saying that we find unacceptable the disregard of the legal process by the United States, which has been making certain demands.”

His remarks came after US National Security Adviser John Bolton earlier told Reuters that Turkey made a “big mistake” in not releasing Brunson, Anadolu Agency reported.

Turkey and the US are facing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on two Cabinet ministers for not releasing Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.

On Aug. 10, Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling US tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.

In retaliation, Turkey raised tariffs on several US-origin products, including alcohol and tobacco products and cars.

message end/