Trump suggests sanctions on Turkey

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.”

There could be repercussions: 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 in Turkey. On Wednesday, he was let out of jail after 1 years, transferred to house arrest because of “health problems,” according to Turkey’s official Anadolu news agency.

But Trump said that was not sufficient.

“He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!” Trump 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. Brunson’s case has become a cause for conservative Christians who form an important part of Trump’s political base.

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.”

Brunson has lived in Turkey for 23 years and served as pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church, a small Protestant congregation.

During a recent hearing, Brunson rejected charges against him.

“I believe in and support Turkey’s territorial integrity,” he told the court. “I forgive those who lie and bear false witness against me.”