Turkey faces ‘large sanctions’ over pastor imprisonment

The Republic of Turkey faces ‘large sanctions’ unless it releases an American evangelical pastor imprisoned on espionage charges.

Andrew Brunson has been detained for the past 600 days whilst being tried by an Izmir court on charges of spying for Kurdish insurgents and the Fethullah Gülen network, according to reports. Turkey’s President Erdogan blames the Gülen network for the coup attempt against him in 2016.

Brunson was released from prison and is currently serving house arrest in Turkey. Prosecutors are demanding that if convicted, he serve a 35-year sentence.

In a tweet on 26 July, US President Trump said: ‘The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!’