US requests to release jailed pastor 'unlawful': Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Washington's request to release US Pastor Andrew Brunson could not be fulfilled, calling the ask "unlawful".

Erdogan made the remarks early on Wednesday, according to the Hurriyet newspaper. 

He said Turkey follows the rule of law and US threats over the detention of Brunson would have no bearing on his case. 

Washington and Ankara are locked in a bitter feud over the nearly two-year jailing of Brunson over disputed terror charges, which lies at the heart of the diplomatic crisis between the two NATO allies. 

The dispute has triggered a trade row and sent the lira into a tailspin. 

Turkey accuses Brunson of links to the US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who it blames for the failed 2016 coup, along with ties to the banned Kurdish militant group the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Brunson could face 35 years in jail if found guilty of the charges.

The Trump administration previously rejected Turkey's offer to release Bunson in return for clearing a top Turkish bank of billions of dollars in US fines.

Trump has since doubled tariffs on aluminum and steel from Turkey, prompting Ankara to sharply hike tariffs on several US products.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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