U.S. slams arrest of Istanbul consulate staff

The United States Embassy in Turkey on Thursday slammed the arrest by Turkish authorities of Istanbul consulate staff, saying that Washington "is deeply disturbed by the arrest."

The employee, identified only by Metin Topuz, was remanded in custody by an Istanbul court late Wednesday on accusations of links to the group of U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Ankara for last year's failed coup attempt.

"The United States government is deeply disturbed by the arrest of a locally-employed staff member of the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul on October 4, " the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

The employee with Turkish nationality was charged with "political and military espionage" and "attempting to remove the constitutional order," according to Anadolu Agency.

However, the U.S. statement said allegations against U.S. employees were "baseless" and harmed the relations between Washington and Ankara.

"We believe these allegations to be wholly without merit," it added.

"The United States will continue to engage with the Turkish government to ensure that employees of the U.S. government, as well as American citizens in Turkey, are accorded due legal process in accordance with the Turkish constitution and international legal norms," it stressed.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)