US wants evidence over detained staff to end Turkey visa dispute

ANKARA – A US delegation has asked Turkey for information and evidence regarding consular staff whose detention has led to a diplomatic rift and suspension of visa services, private HaberTurk television channel reported on Wednesday.

Two locally employed US mission staff have been arrested in Turkey this year. In May, a translator at the consulate in the southern province of Adana was arrested and two weeks ago a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) worker was detained in Istanbul.

Turkish police want to question a third worker based in Istanbul. His wife and daughter were detained last week over alleged links to the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Ankara for orchestrating the abortive putsch. They were later released.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has accused US officials of sheltering him in their Istanbul consulate.