“HE SUFFERED GREATLY”
by Sharon Rondeau
(Oct. 12, 2018) — Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was freed by his Turkish jailers after a hearing on Friday following intense negotiations with the Trump administration and Turkish government, is to meet with President Trump at the White House Saturday.
Two years ago Brunson was accused of participating in terrorist activity by allegedly attempting to overthrow the Tayyip Erdogan government, a claim Brunson has denied. He was arrested by Turkish police in October 2016 and jailed with several intervening court hearings.
In July, the Trump administration was able to convince Turkey to release Brunson from prison to house arrest.
Brunson had been leading a small Christian church and raised his family in the increasingly-Islamic nation, which is a fellow NATO member. His arrest and incarceration strained relations with the U.S., and his release on Friday was seen as a major accomplishment for the Trump administration.
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) led a concerted effort to have Brunson released and bring attention to his plight, along with the State Department, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
Brunson left Turkey with his wife immediately following the hearing at which he was pronounced “guilty” but sentenced to “time served” of a total 3½-year sentence, Fox News reported Friday. They were immediately flown to Germany, where they were greeted by U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell. When Grenell handed Brunson an American flag, Brunson “immediately kissed it,” Grenell reported on Twitter.
After a physical examination, Brunson was to fly to Washington, DC, Trump said during a trip to Cincinnati, OH for a Friday evening rally. Trump added that he expects to meet with Brunson at the White House on Saturday. In further remarks to reporters, Trump said that Brunson “suffered greatly” while under arrest.
Update, October 13, 2018, 1:27 p.m.: Fox News reported that Brunson and Trump are expected to meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.