Turkish court orders release of US pastor Andrew Brunson

Breaking News Emails

Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.

A Turkish court on Friday ordered the release from house arrest of an American pastor at the heart of a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and the U.S., a day after NBC News reported the two countries had struck a deal to allow him to walk free.

The court sentenced Andrew Brunson to three years and one-and-a-half months in prison after convicting him on terrorism charges. But he was ordered released on time served after spending nearly two years in detention.

The North Carolina native broke down in tears when the decision was announced, witnesses said. He had earlier made an impassioned plea to the judge: "I am an innocent man. I love Jesus. I love Turkey."

Image: Andrew Brunson, center, sits inside a car as he arrives for his trial in Izmir — Andrew Brunson, center, sits inside a car as he arrives for his trial in Izmir Friday.DHA / AP

Brunson, 50, was charged with being linked to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric whom Turkey blames for plotting a failed coup attempt in 2016.

Brunson denied the allegations, and the Trump administration demanded his release, triggering a diplomatic standoff.

Following the court hearing, President Trump tweeted, "Pastor Brunson just released. Will be home soon."

Reached by phone, Brunson's daughter Jacqueline Furnari, 20, told NBC News she was elated by the news.

"I am still in shock," she said from Texas. "It’s just amazing after two years of going through this ordeal, he is finally coming home."

Brunson was seen returning to his home in the Turkish coastal province of Izmir after the hearing, according to Reuters. He was expected to depart for the U.S. in the coming hours.

There was some initial confusion over Brunson's travel plans after the American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative group that has been working on the pastor's release, said he was already on a plane.

Oct.12.201802:20

On Thursday, NBC News learned that the White House expected Brunson to be released by the Turkish government and returned to the U.S. in the coming days.

Senior administration officials said Brunson was freed as part of a deal the Trump administration cut with the Turkish government in the past couple of weeks. Under the agreement the U.S. is to lift sanctions Trump imposed on Turkey in August after Turkey refused to release Brunson despite repeated talks between U.S. and Turkish officials.

Earlier Friday, there was heavy security as Brunson arrived to the courthouse in a convoy of vehicles before daybreak. Brunson appeared in the courtroom wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie. His wife, Norine, looked on from the visitors' seating area as he listened to testimony from defense and prosecution witnesses.

"I do not understand how this is related to me," Brunson said after the judge questioned one of a series of witnesses heard before a lunch recess. He said the judge was asking the witness about incidents Brunson was not involved in.

Witnesses also told the court that previous testimony attributed to them against the pastor was inaccurate.

One denied telling prosecution witness Levent Kalkan that a member of Brunson's church was linked to militants.

"I did not say it to Mr. Kalkan. I heard it from him," the witness said.

"I am really shocked now," Kalkan responded. Kalkan also told the court that some of his previous testimony had been "misunderstood.”

Brunson who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, rejected the charges and strongly maintained his innocence. He is one of thousands caught up in a widespread government crackdown that followed the failed coup against the Turkish government.

Yuliya Talmazan reported from London; Aziz Akyavaz from Izmir.

Let's block ads! (Why?)