WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said Friday an American pastor freedby Turkey after two years in detention would be returned “soon” to theUnited States.
“PASTOR BRUNSON JUST RELEASED. WILL BE HOME SOON!” Trump tweeted, after aTurkish court sentenced Andrew Brunson to just over three years in jail butreleased him after taking into account time served and good conduct.
Brunson’s detention since 2016 caused one of the worst diplomatic rows ofrecent times between NATO allies Turkey and the US, and a crash in theTurkish lira that exposed the country’s economic fragility.
Turkish judicial authorities had repeatedly rejected requests for therelease of Brunson, who was moved from prison to house arrest in the cityof Izmir in July.
When the verdict was read out, Brunson wept and hugged his wife Norine.
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“My thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Brunson, and we hope to have himsafely back home soon!” Trump had tweeted earlier, shortly after postingthat he was “working very hard” on the case.
US broadcaster NBC said Turkey and the United States had reached a secretdeal for Brunson to be released Friday, with some charges against himdropped, in exchange for the US easing “economic pressure” that includedsanctions that have hammered the lira.
But Turkey says its judiciary is independent and US State Departmentspokeswoman Heather Nauert said she was “not aware” of any such deal. -APP/AFP
