Turkish court rejects another appeal to free US Pastor Brunson
A higher court in the Turkish province of Izmir has rejected an appeal for the release from house arrest of US pastor Andrew Brunson, state news agency Anadolu reports. On Wednesday, another court in the Aegean province had refused to release him and lift his travel ban, prompting his lawyer to file an appeal to a higher court for review.
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- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 12:00 | 17 August 2018
- Modified Date: 03:45 | 17 August 2018
A Turkish court on Friday rejected another appeal to free US pastor Andrew Brunson, whose detention has sparked a major crisis in Ankara's ties with Washington, his lawyer said.
The Third High Criminal Court ruled against a new plea by Brunson's lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt, who initiated the process after the Second High Criminal Court rejected Wednesday an appeal for Brunson's release from house arrest and for his travel ban to be lifted.
Brunson, who was detained in October 2016 on terror and espionage charges, faces 35 years in jail if convicted.
Late last month, he was moved from prison to house arrest for health reasons.
The pastor's detention has soured Ankara's relations with Washington, with US President Donald Trump threatening more punitive action unless Brunson is released.
Last week, Trump said he had doubled the tariffs on aluminium and steel from Turkey, sending the Turkish currency into free fall.
Christian evangelicals constitute an important part of Trump's political base.
Brunson's continued detention has aggravated a feud between the NATO allies and has helped trigger a Turkish currency crisis.
Brunson, a Christian pastor from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was indicted on charges of helping the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), which is responsible for the failed 2016 coup, as well as supporting the PKK, and was later moved to house arrest on July 25 due to his health problems.
Serving at the Diriliş (Resurrection) Protestant Church in the western province of Izmir, Brunson was arrested in October 2016.
Brunson's next hearing as part of the trial is scheduled for October 12. The pastor is currently under house arrest in his apartment Işılay Saygın Street in Izmir's Konak district, which is being closely watched 24/7 by special operation units.
The United Stated has repeatedly demanded the release of Brunson from Turkish authorities, while Ankara has said that the U.S.' demands are not in line with principles of an independent judiciary and that it is the courts who will make the ultimate decision.