Imprisoned US pastor in Turkey denied day in court

On 7 October 2016, Pastor Brunson from the United States (US) was detained by the Turkish government for activities that they alleged constituted a national security risk. Fifteen months later, he is still imprisoned. His lawyer continues to be denied access to his case file. In effect, Brunson has been denied his legal right to a notice of charges against him and a hearing in court.

Last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly declared that his government was holding Brunson as a political hostage, demanding that the US extradite Fethullah Gülen, a man accused of masterminding a failed coup against him, back to Turkey in a prisoner “swap” for the pastor.

Brunson has raised his family and ministered in Turkey for 23 years. During his imprisonment, he has missed his daughter’s wedding and her university graduation and on the 3rd of January, he celebrated his 50th birthday in prison. “We would never have imagined this kind of a birthday,” a close family member said. “Andrew did what he set out to do: he thanked God for the life he has had.”

Please pray for Pastor Brunson to have a breakthrough in his case this year. May the Lord give wisdom and guidance to all those working to get him released. Pray also that God will continue to comfort and strengthen his family during this trying time.

Thank you for praying!

*World Watch Monitor. “Jailed US pastor still refused ‘due process’ in Turkey.” 23 January 2018.