ANKARA, 2 August (BelTA - Anadolu Agency) - White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the U.S. would impose sanctions on Turkey's ministers of justice and interior for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.
In a written statement published Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department said Gul and Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu "played leading roles in the organizations responsible for the arrest and detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson".
According to U.S. law, those mentioned on the sanctions list will have any of their assets and properties under U.S. jurisdiction blocked and American businesses and individuals will be prohibited from engaging in financial transactions with them.
Turkey strongly protests against a decision by the U.S. Treasury Department to impose sanctions. "An equivalent response to this aggressive attitude will be given without delay," it said.
Also four Turkish political parties protested Thursday against U.S. sanctions on two ministers “in the strongest way”.
“We say ‘no' to the U.S. threats with common solidarity and determination of our nation,” said the Justice and Development (AK) Party, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Good (IYI) Party in a joint statement.
