LOC22:44
19:44 GMT
ANKARA, Oct 7 (KUNA) -- The US Embassy in Ankara announced Sunday suspension of non-immigrant visa services via the embassy and consulate in Turkey.
The embassy, in a statement, attributed the suspension to recent events that forced the US Administration to re-evaluate the Turkish government's commitment to protection of American diplomatic missions and diplomats.
"In order to minimize the number of visitors to our Embassy and Consulates while this assessment proceeds, effective immediately we have suspended all non-immigrant visa services at all US diplomatic facilities in Turkey," it added.
The suspension decision followed the Turkish authorities' arrest of one of the staff in the US Consulate in Istanbul, accusing him of espionage and having links with what the Turkish government called the parallel entity which was accused of masterminding the July 2016 failed coup attempt. (end)
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