U.S. plans sanctions for NATO-ally Turkey over detained pastor

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared Thursday that the United States will impose sanctions on Turkey, a crucial NATO ally, in retaliation for the detention of an American pastor on terror and espionage charges.

Turkey’s response was both harsh and dismissive, calling his words “unacceptable” and a “cheap threat.”

Mr. Trump’s promise of punishing action marks the latest deterioration in relations between Turkey and the U.S. as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers expand two years after a failed coupagainst his government.

Mr. Trump also has praised his counterpart, saying Mr. Erdogan’s leadership is “getting very high marks.”

The U.S has long depended on a key air base in Turkey’s south, most recently to launch airstrikes against the Islamic State group.

Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson was first detained by Turkish authorities in the aftermath of the failed 2016 coup. On Wednesday he was let out of jail after 1½ years, transferred to house arrest because of “health problems,” according to Turkey’s official Anadolu news agency.

But Mr. Trump said that was not sufficient.

“He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!” the president wrote on Twitter.

The announcement of sanctions — though no details of how or when — came as the State Department was holding a three-day event promoting religious freedom. Mr. Brunson’s case has become a cause for conservative Christians who form an important part of Mr. Trump’s political base.

Turkey responded that Mr. Brunson’s detention falls within the jurisdiction of its independent judiciary. “Rule of law is for everyone; no exception,” said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, also via Twitter.

And an Erdogan spokesman warned the U.S. to “reconsider its approach and adopt a constructive position before inflicting further damage to its own interests and its alliance with Turkey.”

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced the threat of action at the religious freedom conference, then Mr. Trump tweeted that his government “will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment ofPastor Andrew Brunson.”

Mr. Trump could impose certain sanctions unilaterally or try to act through Congress. Senators have previously taken steps toward blocking the sale of F35 jets to Turkey, citing Mr. Brunson’s detention as an instance of Mr. Erdogan’s disregard for the rule of law.

Mr. Brunson, 50, an evangelical Christian pastor originally from North Carolina, could face up to 35 years in prison if convicted of espionage and “committing crimes on behalf of terror groups without being a member,” references to outlawed Kurdish militants and the network of a U.Sbased Muslim cleric blamed for the failed coup attempt.

Mr. Brunson denies the charges.

“Brunson is an innocent man, there is no credible evidence against him,” Mr. Pence said in his remarks Thursday.

Mr. Erdogan has previously linked Mr. Brunson’s return to the U.S. to the extradition of cleric Fethullah Gulen, the man Turkey’s government holds responsible for the failed 2016 coup. Mr. Gulen, who denies orchestrating the coup attempt, lives in Pennsylvania. Turkish requests for his arrest and extradition have not been granted.

Mr. Brunson’s case has been adjourned until Oct. 12.