A Turkish court on Wednesday again denied a request for the release of an American pastor based in Turkey who has been held prisoner since 2016, when he was arrested on terrorism charges. Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson, a 50-year-old minister from Black Mountain, North Carolina, is facing up to 35 years in prison, The Associated Press reported, for “committing crimes on behalf of terror groups
without being a member” and “espionage.” Brunson was arrested over alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a connection the pastor has denied. Following Wednesday’s hearing — the third regarding Brunson’s case — judges in Turkey scheduled another court appointment for Oct. 12. President Donald Trump tweeted his support for Brunson in mid-April, noting the pastor is being held in Turkey for “no reason.” READ MORE
