A Turkish court has rejected an appeal to release US pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest. The NTV broadcaster noted that it was the third time the court refused to release the pastor from house arrest and let him leave the country. His next hearing is scheduled for October 12.
Commenting on the issue, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that Turkey has not been acting as a friend with respect to Brunson and that the United States will not take Ankara’s bad actions sitting down.
"Well, Turkey's been a problem for a long time. They have not acted as a friend. We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "They should have given him [Brunson] back a long time ago and Turkey has, in my opinion, acted very very badly… We're not going to take it sitting down. They can't take our people. So you will see what happens."
US Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson, residing in the Turkish province of Izmir, is facing trial over reportedly playing a role in 2016 failed coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He has been accused of ties to the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a cleric living in the US and believed by Erdogan to be behind the failed 2016 military coup against him.
Responding to the tariffs, Turkey announced that it would challenge the US tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
READ MORE: Turkey to Retaliate if US Slaps on More Sanctions — Minister
The lira, the Turkish national currency has lost some 40 percent of its value and experienced a major slide, falling from 6.04 to 6.21 against the US dollar. However, after a two-day downturn, the lira regained back its position.
READ MORE: Turkish Retailers Reportedly Drop iPhone Contracts Amid Trade Row With US
