American Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson
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.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday said that Turkey will boycott U.S.’s technology products amidst a row between the two diplomatic allies.Referring to the fluctuations of the exchange rate, he said that the necessary measures have been taken and delaying production, switching to foreign currency would mean giving into the enemy.During his speech, Erdoğan also accused the U.S. of using the economy as a weapon, saying, “As they couldn’t make us do what they wanted on the field, they don’t hesitate to use economy as a weapon.”“The U.S. has targeted not only Turkey but also many regions from China to Russia, and from Iran to Europe.”Reitarating the importance of converting their foreign exchange savings into liras, Erdoğan stated, “The best response would be converting dollars and save the honor of the Turkish lira.”Video: Erdoğan: Turkey will boycott US electronic productsCalling the latest financial pressures of Trump a “deep operation” Erdoğan said, “When we reach our targets in 2023, every Turkish citizen will be twice wealthy as they are now.”Stressing the importance of keeping a firm political stance, he said, “There is an open economic attack against Turkey. In the past, these kind of things were done more covertly and indirectlyThere are two things we can do: one is putting forth an economic and political stance.”“I am calling out to the business world. We will produce and export more. We will boycott U.S.’s electronic products,” Erdoğan conluded.Relations between Ankara and Washington have been rocky since the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey’s interior and justice ministers last week after Ankara refused to release American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.Last Friday, President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Turkey.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his turn said Turkey would turn toward new markets, new partners and alternative financial tools.“If you pressure us through the dollar, we will look for other ways to carry out our works,” he said.Terming the recent U.S. tariffs on Turkey as an “economic war,” the Turkish president said: “We’ve seen your game and we challenge it.”The aim of the recent U.S. pressure is “to ensnare Turkey in every field from finance to politics,” the president noted.“We will not surrender,” Erdoğan asserted.Turkey takes high level security measures around US pastor Brunson’s houseTurkey-US relations: From visionary to myopicTurkey 'most suitable' for investment despite perception operations: FMErdoğan slams US for preferring terrorists as partner
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 Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed support for Turkey amid its financial difficulties.“On behalf of the people of Pakistan myself, I want to let President Erdogan the people of Turkey know we are praying for their success in dealing with the severe economic challenges confronting them, as they have always succeeded against adversities in their glorious history,” Khan wrote on Twitter.His remarks came several days after U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by increasing U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.On Monday, in a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also opposed the “unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Turkey over the detention of an American pastor under terrorism charges.Turkey 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 American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.“Pakistan, in principle, is opposed to imposition of unilateral sanctions against any country. The solution to any and all issues should lie in dialogue, mutual understanding and goodwill,” the statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.It also lauded Turkey’s role towards regional and international peace and stability.“Pakistan acknowledges and greatly appreciates Turkey’s invaluable role towards regional and international peace and stability. It is also a vital member and engine of the global economy”, the statement further said.Expressing its solidarity, Islamabad reiterated its strong support for the government and the people of Turkey.“The people and the government of Pakistan reiterate their strong support for the government and the people of Turkey in their quest for peace and prosperity, and as always, will continue to stand by them towards the achievement of these shared goals,” the statement added.Azerbaijan voices confidence in Turkey's economyFour Turkish firms named among top 100 defense companiesTurkey takes high level security measures around US pastor Brunson’s house
Pakistan’s Khan expresses solidarity with Turkey
Turkey's business lobbies said on Tuesday that the foundations of Turkey’s economy are strong and that during this period of currency instability, real sectors, production and employment capacities were of utmost importance.In a joint statement, TUSIAD and TOBB Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges said that diplomacy should be used to solve U.S.-Turkish disputes urgently.The statement added that a concrete roadmap should be prepared to lower inflation permanently and that a tighter monetary policy is needed to stabilize the lira, which has fallen about thirty percent this month.Turkey's currency recovered ground on Tuesday morning, rising by approximately five percent after the central bank had pledged on Monday to provide liquidity in response to the meltdown which has unsettled global markets. Finance Minister Berat Albayrak is due to hold a conference call with investors from the United States, Europe and the Middle East on Thursday.Turkey announces $183M package for industrialists“We are in a sensitive period, thus necessary precautions must be taken in order to prevent a lasting impact of this situation on real economy. Following the positive steps taken by the Turkish Central Bank regarding liquidity, a tighter monetary policy must be implemented for the currency to stabilize,” the TUSIAD and TOBB Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges statement said. “Austerity measures to support a tighter monetary policy must be announced soon. As a business community, we believe that with the implementation of the necessary measures, our economy will quickly return to a state of sustainable growth,” the statement said.Turkey-US rowTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.Turkey will emerge from economic siege victorious, says parliament speakerU.S. President Donald Trump last week 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.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his turn said Turkey would turn toward new markets, new partners and alternative financial tools.“If you pressure us through the dollar, we will look for other ways to carry out our works,” he said.Video: Erdoğan: Turkey is under ‘economic siege’Terming the recent U.S. tariffs on Turkey as an “economic war,” the Turkish president said: “We’ve seen your game and we challenge it.”The aim of the recent U.S. pressure is “to ensnare Turkey in every field from finance to politics,” the president noted.“We will not surrender,” Erdoğan asserted.Turkey's Borsa Istanbul up at openUS-based group urges dialogue between US, TurkeyCampaign launched in Senegal to support Turkish brandsLebanese businesspeople come to support of Turkish lira
Foundations of Turkey’s economy are strong, say business lobbies