Jailed US pastor finally appears in Turkish court - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Jasper Mortimer

Jasper Mortimer

Apr 17, 2018

A convoy of US diplomatic vehicles arrive at the Aliaga court and prison complex for the trial of US Pastor Andrew Brunson, held on charges of aiding terror groups, in Aliaga, north of Izmir, Turkey, April 16, 2018. — OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images

After 18 months in detention, the North Carolina pastor who has become a political football between America and Turkey finally got a chance this week to tell a Turkish court what he thought of being charged with terrorism and espionage.

“I don’t accept any of the allegations,” Andrew Craig Brunson told the judge. “I have never done anything against Turkey. On the contrary, I love Turkey. I have been praying for Turkey for 25 years.”

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Norine Brunson, the wife fo jailed American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is held on charges of aiding terror groups, leaves the courthouse after Brunson's trial in Aliaga, north of Izmir, on May 7, 2018. - Brunson, who ran a church in the western city of Izmir, was detained by Turkish authorities in October 2016. If convicted, he risks up to 35 years in jail. (Photo by BULENT KILIC / AFP) (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images)

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