Trial of US pastor Brunson resumes in western Turkey
The trial of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson at the centre of a diplomatic row between Washington and Ankara resumes on Friday in Turkey's Aegean province of İzmir.
- Türkiye
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:00 | 12 October 2018
- Modified Date: 11:11 | 12 October 2018
The trial of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is facing terrorism-related chargers in Turkey, resumes on Friday in western İzmir province, according to judicial sources.
Brunson was taken from his house -- where he had been under house arrest since July 25 -- under strict security measures and brought to the prison and courthouse complex in Aliağa district for the trial.
On July 25, citing Brunson's health problems, an İzmir court ordered him moved from jail to house arrest.
Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.
Turkey and the U.S. have faced rocky relations following Washington's imposition of sanctions over Brunson's detention.
Political tensions between the two countries sparked worries in the markets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure to secure Brunson's release.