...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire....
's president ordered the asset freeze of two US officials in retaliation for sanctions imposed on its justice and interior ministers over the detention of an American pastor.
President Sultan Recep Tayyip Erdogan the First
... Turkey's version of Mohammed Morsi but they voted him back in so they deserve him. It's a sin, a shame, and a felony to insult the president of Turkey...said on Saturday that Turkey had been "patient" since the US sanctions were slapped on Abdulhamit Gul, the minister of justice, and Suleyman Soylu, the minister of interior, this week.
"I am instructing my friends today, we will freeze assets, if there are any, of the US justice and interior secretaries in Turkey," Erdogan, speaking at a ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party meeting in Ankara, was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency.
It was unclear who would be affected by Erdogan's announcement because of differing cabinet roles in the United States, or if they have any holdings in Turkey.
'Well past time'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, said on Saturday he hopes the American held in Turkey will be released in the coming days.
Pompeo and his
He was enjugged
Please don't kill me!
in December 2016 following a failed coup in Turkey on charges of espionage and "committing crimes on behalf of terror groups without being a member" - allegations Brunson denies. He faces 35 in prison if convicted.
"I had a constructive conversation with my counterpart yesterday," Pompeo told news hounds. "I made clear that it is well past time that pastor Brunson be free and permitted to return to the United States, and that the others being held by Turkey also similarly be freed as well.
"I am hopeful that in the coming days that we will see that occur."