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The United States has threatened sanctions against Turkey if it does not release American pastor Andrew Brunson, accused of terrorism and espionage. This announced Vice President Mike Pence today. Brunson was released at home in a Turkish jail yesterday after almost two years.
Brunson is accused of links with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the movement around Islamist preacher Fethullah Gülen. The prosecution requires up to 35 years in prison. The next trial will take place on October 12th.
Turkish leaders accuse Gülen of having attempted the coup d'etat in July 2016. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed an exchange between Gülen and Brunson in the past.
The case seriously undermines relations between Ankara and Washington. Even US President Donald Trump himself acted on the case and demanded Brunson's release last week.
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