US should not resort to threats against Turkey: Envoy

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON

The United States should not resort to threats against Turkey, Ankara’s ambassador to Washington said Thursday, referring to proposed sanctions against the country over a jailed American pastor.

"My message was crystal clear; No one should expect Turkey to give in to threats and that as an Ally US should not resort to threats against us," Serdar Kilic said in a post on his Twitter account, adding that U.S. authorities had failed to take into consideration his explicit advice at all levels.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence threatened to impose sanctions against Turkey unless it frees a detained American pastor accused of having ties to terrorist groups.

"The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson," Trump said on Twitter. "He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!"

Pence also threatened via Twitter to impose "significant sanctions on Turkey until this innocent man of faith is free".

Brunson was transferred to house arrest Wednesday after being detained in Izmir province since December 2016. He was charged with spying for the PKK, a designated terrorist group in the U.S. and Turkey, and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group Turkey accuses of being behind the defeated July 2016 coup attempt.

The Izmir 2nd High Criminal Court cited Brunson's health in its decision to transfer him to house arrest.

The court decided to allow Brunson to live at his home address in Izmir but barred him from "abandonment of residence" and also banned him from leaving the country.

Following the decision, the pastor left prison with a police escort after completing certain procedures.

Extensive security measures have been taken at Brunson’s residence.