Trump: I Got Citizen of Turkey Arrested by Israel Out of Prison for Erdoğan
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The US President Donald Trump has given an interview to Reuters News Agency, where he has also answered questions regarding the diplomatic crisis that arose between the US and Turkey in the wake of US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson not being released.
CLICK - Summary of Pastor Brunson Trial
Pastor Brunson, who was arrested on December 9, 2016, has been under house arrest since July 25, 2018. On August 1, the US announced that it would impose a series of sanctions on the Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu and the Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül.
On August 10, Trump also tweeted, "I have just authorized a doubling of Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum with respect to Turkey."
"I got that person out of prison for Erdoğan"
In his interview with Reuters, Trump has stated that he thought "he had a deal" with the President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when he helped persuade Israel to free an arrested citizen of Turkey, Ebru Özkan.
Trump has also added, "I thought that Erdoğan would then release the Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson."
"I got that person out for him. I expect him to let this very innocent and wonderful man and great father and great Christian out of Turkey."
Ebru Özkan, a citizen of Turkey who was arrested in Israel, was released from prison upon the request of Donald Trump and returned to Turkey after being deported from Israel.
CLICK - WP: Trump Makes Deal with Israel to Free Citizen of Turkey
"There will be no concessions"
Trump has said that the US will make no concessions:
"I think it is very sad what Turkey is doing. I think they are making a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions.
"I am not concerned [about the tariffs imposed on Turkey] at all. I am not concerned. This is the proper thing to do.
"I like Turkey and the people of Turkey"
"I like Turkey. I like the people of Turkey very much. Until now, I had a very good relationship, as you know, with the President (Erdoğan). I got along with him great. I had a very good relationship. But it cannot be a one-way street. It is no longer a one-way street for the United States." (HK/SD)