Last October, Pastor Andrew Brunson, 48, was arrested in Turkey after performing missionary work in the country for 23 years. Allegations against him were not revealed until December when prosecutors said an informant alleged that Brunson was a member of an “armed terrorist group,” Breitbart reports.
Since then, family members, attorneys and church members are waiting and hoping for a safe deportation process.
The American Center for Law and Justice has also been working to secure the pastor’s release. In an article, ACLJ said that Pastor Brunson has been confined with 19 prisoners in a 10-prison cell. He has missed important occasions because of his incarceration.
In a signed letter, 78 members of Congress urged Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to release U.S. citizen Pastor Brunson.
Part of the letter reads, “Mr. Brunson has been unjustly held since his arrest in October and has been denied regular and appropriate access to legal counsel and American consular services.” It also stated that there was no substantial evidence to support the informant’s allegation that Pastor Brunson is a member of an armed terrorist organization.
The American Center for Law and Justice has also been working to secure the pastor’s release. In an article, ACLJ said that Pastor Brunson has been confined with 19 prisoners in a 10-prison cell. He has missed important occasions because of his incarceration.
Sources:
Breitbartcom. (2017). Breitbart. http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/02/06/north-carolina-christian-pastor-turkey-prison/
Trunewscom. (2017). TRUNEWS with Rick Wiles. http://www.trunews.com/article/turkey-congress-members-urge-release-of-christian-pastor