IZMIR, Turkey — American Pastor Andrew Brunson walked out of court a free man today after spending 24 months in a Turkish prison.
A Turkish judge convicted Brunson on charges of “providing aid to terrorist groups without being a member,” while sentencing him to time served and lifting a ban on foreign travel, clearing the way for his return to the United States.
Pastor Brunson hugged his wife and shed tears of joy as he left the courtroom flanked by an American delegation. Giving his closing statement in perfect Turkish, the Evangelical minister, who moved to Turkey in 1993, said “I’m an innocent man – I love Jesus, and I love this country.”
Brunson’s release ends a sore diplomatic saga between Turkey and the United States. Both President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence have been outspoken in their calls for Turkey to release the evangelical pastor. After repeated attempts to negotiate a deal to secure Brunson’s release, the United States responded with sanctions against Turkey, worsening an economic crisis that has seen the Turkish lira lose nearly 40 per cent of its value this year. Brunson’s final hearing also came at an opportune time for Turkey, as investigators continue probing the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.
Brunson, who had maintained his innocence throughout the duration of the trial, ran a small Evangelical Presbyterian parish in the coastal city of Izmir with about 50 parishioners. He was active in humanitarian aid projects to serve Syrian refugees, and that’s where Turkish investigators claim he came in contact with members of terrorist groups.
He was jailed in October 2016 amid accusations of his links to groups Turkey blames for a bloody coup attempt three months earlier. Several of his own parishioners testified as witnesses, both for and against Brunson.
The final courtroom drama played out in a series of bizarre and dramatic surprises, as several witnesses for the prosecution recanted their previous testimonies.
One woman said she did not personally know Brunson. Another two men contradicted their past claims. When the newly appointed prosecutor asked them about past statements they made asserting that a member of the congregation, a member of the blacklisted Kurdistan Workers Party, was building bombs, both men said that it was a rumor they had heard from the other.
One witness accused another who testified against Brunson of holding a vendetta after he was kicked out of the congregation.
Another witness was asked by the prosecutor why he believed Brunson was connected to terrorist groups. The man replied, “I never saw any bombs or bombers, but I’m a Turkish nationalist – to me, all Syrians are terrorists.”
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