WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has lifted sanctions on two senior Turkish officials that were imposed in connection with the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson.
The U.S. had sanctioned Turkey's justice minister, Abdulhamit Gul, and interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, in August for their role in Brunson's arrest and detention.
Brunson spent nearly two years in confinement in Turkey on espionage and terrorism-related charges. He was sentenced to three years in prison in October but then was released and allowed to leave the country for the time already spent in custody.
The Treasury Department says a statement Friday that Gul and Soylu have been removed from a sanctions list.
Brunson's confinement in Turkey caused a major rift in Turkish-U.S. relations.
