The United States and Turkey reached a secret deal to release American Pastor Andrew Brunson in coming days but there is uncertainly around whether Ankara will live up to the bargain, media reported on Thursday.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) The United States and Turkey reached a secret deal to release American Pastor Andrew Brunson in coming days but there is uncertainly around whether Ankara will live up to the bargain, media reported on Thursday.
Ankara, according to the deal, agreed to drop charges against Brunson at Friday's court hearing in exchange for Washington easing economic pressure, NBC news reported, citing two senior US administration officials and a source briefed on the matter. However, one of the officials cited said the White House is not fully confident Turkey will abide given a similar deal fell through several months ago.
On Wednesday, when asked about the upcoming hearing, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was hopeful the pastor would be released soon. Pompeo said it would be an "important" step towards improving US-Turkish relations.
Brunson is scheduled to appear in a Turkish court on Friday regarding his detention over allegations of involvement in the 2016 coup. Earlier this month, Brunson's attorney appealed to the Turkish Constitutional Court demanding that his client be released from house arrest.
