Andrew Brunson
A Turkish court ruled on Friday to release U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest, sentencing him to three years in jail but saying he will not spend any more time in custody because of time already served.
The court's decision to lift judicial controls meant that evangelical pastor Brunson, at the heart of a diplomatic spat between the two countries, could leave Turkey and return to the United States.
The court passed a 3 years and 1-1/2 month sentence on Brunson.
Asked whether Brunson would go to the United States, his lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt said: "He will probably leave."
American pastor Andrew Brunson is on a plane home to the United States after a Turkish court ruled he should be released, according to lawyer representing his family."The fact that he is now on a plane to the United States can only be viewed as a significant victory for Pastor Brunson and his family," said lawyer Jay Sekulow in a statement.Turkish court rules to release US pastor BrunsonA Turkish court ruled on Friday to release U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest, sentencing him to three years in jail but saying he will not spend any more time in custody because of time already served.The court's decision to lift judicial controls meant that evangelical pastor Brunson, at the heart of a diplomatic spat between the two countries, could leave Turkey and return to the United States.The court passed a 3 years and 1-1/2 month sentence on Brunson.Video: Turkish court releases US pastor Andrew BrunsonTrump cites hard work in US pastor Brunson case
American pastor en route home to US: lawyer
Witnesses said Brunson wept as the decision was announced. Before the judge's ruling, the pastor told the court: "I am an innocent man. I love Jesus, I love Turkey."
The case against Brunson, an evangelical preacher from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years and was arrested two years ago, had led to U.S. tariffs against Turkey and drawn condemnation from President Donald Trump.
A Turkish court on Friday sentenced U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson to three years and 1.5 months in prison.Izmir Heavy Penal Court No.2, in accordance with its ruling, ended his house arrest and travel ban.
Turkish court releases US pastor Andrew Brunson
Brunson appeared in the courtroom in the western coastal town of Aliaga 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.
A Turkish court on Friday heard witnesses in the trial of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, a case at the heart of a diplomatic row between Washington and Ankara.The case against Brunson, an evangelical preacher from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years, has led to U.S. sanctions and tariffs against Turkey and drawn condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump.Trump's administration said on Thursday it was hopeful that Brunson could be freed at the hearing, but the State Department said it was unaware of any deal with the Turkish government for his release.An NBC media report on Thursday said a secret deal between Washington and Ankara had been reached to secure Brunson's release. The pastor is charged with links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).Trial of US pastor Brunson resumes in western TurkeyBrunson appeared in the courtroom in the western coastal town of Aliağa, İzmir 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.Brunson's detention deepened a rift between NATO allies Washington and Ankara, who are also at odds over the Syrian war and Turkey's plan to buy missile defenses from Russia. The row has also exacerbated a slide in the lira's value which has lost 40 percent against the dollar this year.Video: Trial of US terror suspect resumes in western TurkeyJailed or held under house arrest since October 2016, Brunson faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted. Despite pressure from the Trump administration, Erdoğan has insisted that he has no sway over the judiciary and the courts will decide Brunson's fate.
Turkish court hears witnesses in US pastor's trial