Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson
A Turkish court on Wednesday rejected the second appeal to release U.S. Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson.
Brunson’s lawyer, Ismail Cem Halavurt, said a higher court was yet to rule on the appeal.
Halavurt lodged the second appeal document to court on Tuesday, asking for the pastor to be released from house arrest and have his travel ban lifted.
Turkey has increased tariffs on several U.S.-origin products, including alcohol and tobacco products and cars, according to a new presidential decree published early Wednesday in the official gazette.Under the decree, Turkey will raise tariffs to 100 percent on imports of the products.The new decree amends a presidential decree on July 11."Tax rates on imports of some products have been increased on a reciprocal basis against the U.S. administration's deliberate attacks on our economy," Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter.Turkey to boycott US construction materialsAmong the products are cars, rice, some alcohol and tobacco products and some cosmetic products like sun creams.On Friday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said Turkey would retaliate against the raising of steel and aluminum tariffs by the U.S. administration.Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said on Twitter that President Donald Trump's decision, which also violates World Trade Organization rules, does not comply with "state seriousness".Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by raising steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 percent and 20 percent respectively.Chinese firm to buy raisins from Turkey rather than USThe U.S. decision is another salvo in the growing dispute between Turkey and the U.S.Last week, a Turkish delegation returned from Washington with no movement on the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey over terrorism charges.Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.Turkey to boycott US construction materialsTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing Brunson.The two NATO allies have been at odds since the defeated coup, which Ankara accused U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen and FETÖ of masterminding.Video: Erdoğan: Turkey will boycott US electronic products
Turkey raises tariffs on US-origin products
The appeal was rejected by the 2nd Penal Court in İzmir, and referred to a higher court.
Recently, the court had allowed Brunson to be moved from jail and placed him under house arrest in view of his "health problems".
Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.
Turkey will continue to take steps to protect Turkish lira's value in international trade, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said on Tuesday.Speaking at a symposium in capital Ankara, Albayrak said: "The U.S. dollar has been turned into a tool for diplomatic punishment. The U.S. dollar has lost its credibility."The minister said Turkey will take steps keeping in view the free-market to reduce currency risk of companies.European bank 'remains committed' to Turkey"We will determine companies affected by rising foreign currencies and we will continue to put them at ease," he added.He also said tangible and effective reforms will be the most important part of Turkey's economic policy in the coming period.Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively, causing the lira to lose value against the dollar.Pakistanis launch ‘buy Turkish products’ campaignEP Forum slams US tariffs on TurkeyWorld leaders slam Trump’s sanctions, express support for TurkeyTurkey faces speculative attack, not crisis: BankerUS sanctions hurting its own reputation: Turkish FM
US dollar has lost its credibility: Turkish FinMin
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for not releasing Brunson.
The two NATO allies have been at odds since the defeated coup, which Ankara says U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, the ringleader of FETÖ, is behind.
Brunson's next hearing as part of the trial is scheduled for October 12.
An American Christian pastor standing trial in Turkey on terrorism charges has appealed again to a Turkish court to release him from house arrest and lift his travel ban, his lawyer told Reuters on Tuesday.Turkish prosecutors have demanded up to 35 years of imprisonment for American Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson for allegedly committing crimes on behalf of terrorist organizations.The appeal document seen by Reuters said the court should lift judicial control provisions imposed on Andrew Brunson.Erdoğan says Turkey will boycott US electronic products"The court should prevent unlawful political interventions by lifting judicial control provisions on the defendant," the document said.The United States imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers and doubled customs tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports after Brunson was placed in house arrest.Brunson's lawyer, Ismail Cem Halavurt, said the court had up to seven days to decide. Brunson, who faces up to 35 years in jail if found guilty, denies the charges.Brunson's next hearing as part of the trial is scheduled for October 12. Pakistan’s Khan expresses solidarity with TurkeyFoundations of Turkey’s economy are strong, say business lobbies
US pastor in Turkey appeals for release, lifting of travel ban