Alwaght- Turkey has condemned a decision by the US to impose sanctions on two of its senior ministers in response to the detention of an American pastor who is being tried by Ankara on espionage and terror-related charges.
The Turkish foreign ministry called on the US to reverse its "wrong decision" on Thursday after Washington announced sanctions on Abdulhamit Gul, the minister of justice, and Suleyman Soylu, the minister of interior.
The White House blocked assets and properties belonging to Gul and Soylu after accusing them of playing leading roles in the arrest and detention of Andrew Brunson.
Ankara says Brunson is linked to US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who it says was behind a 2016 failed coup attempt, and the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey's foreign ministry said in a written statement on Thursday: "The decision, which disrespectfully intervenes in our judicial system, will seriously damage the constructive efforts made in order to resolve problems between the two countries."
It added that the US' "aggressive attitude serves no purpose," and vowed that it would respond in equal measure.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, wrote on Twitter: "US attempts to impose sanctions on our two ministers will not go unanswered.
Gul has said he didn't own any property or money outside Turkey, therefore attempts by the US Treasury to "block" assets under US jurisdiction would have no effect on him.
Soylu also shrugged off Washington's move, saying the only business he had with the US was the extradition of Gulen.
