Turkish courts will decide the fate of American pastor at centre of US spat, Erdogan says
President Tayyip Erdogan has said the courts, not politicians, will decide the fate of an American evangelical pastor at the centre of a diplomatic spat between the US and Turkey.
Andrew Brunson, detained on terrorism charges in Turkey, could be jailed for up to 35 years if found guilty.
Brunson's detention and subsequent house arrest has incensed Donald Trump, who doubled tariffs on aluminium and steel imported from Turkey after talks to instigate the pastor's release broke down.
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Turkey hit back with duties on US cars, alcohol and tobacco.
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was hopeful Turkey would release Brunson this month.
But Erdogan, speaking while in New York for the UN general assembly meetings, said it was a matter for the courts and not politicians.
He said: “This is a judiciary matter. Brunson has been detained on terrorism charges.
“On 12 October there will be another hearing and we don't know what the court will decide and politicians will have no say on the verdict.”
The pastor could be jailed for up to 35 years if he is found guilty.
The Turkish President added: “As the president, I don't have the right to order his release.
“Our judiciary is independent – let's wait and see what the court will decide.”
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The Turkish lira has lost nearly 40 per cent of its value against the dollar this year.
The troubled currency did finally gain some of that ground back earlier this month when Turkey's central bank defied Erdogan and increased interest rates from 17.75 per cent to 24 per cent.