Brunson’s Lawyer: We’ll Go to Constitutional Court, My Client Must be Released

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Lawyer of US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson Cem Halavurt has expressed that they will go to the Constitutional Court after İzmir 3rd Heavy Penal Court rejecting their demand for release of Brunson on August 17.

Speaking to bianet, lawyer Halavurt said, “Normally verdict of 3rd Heavy Penal Court is final. We have to appeal to the ECtHR on the ground that there is a right violation against my client whose freedom is restricted by this decision”, and added:

“After the Constitutional Court is exhausted, we may apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)”.

“We will see how much politics is forceful on the Constitutional Court”

Saying that they will submit the application in a month, Halavart responded to the question of what sort of decision they expect from the Constitutional Court:

“My client must be released if it is going to be a legal decision but we will see how much politics is forceful on the Constitutional Court”.

What happened?

Brunson's attorney Cem Halavurt previously appealed to İzmir 2nd Heavy Penal Court, requesting that his client be released from house arrest and his international travel ban be lifted. His request was rejected on August 15.

Upon the rejection of his request, he appealed to the the İzmir 3rd Heavy Penal Court, repeating his previous requests.

However, the İzmir 3rd Heavy Penal Court also rejected the requests that Brunson be released from house arrest and his international travel ban be overturned.

CLICK - Summary of Pastor Brunson Trial

Pastor Brunson is facing up to 15 years in prison on charge of "committing crimes in the name of a terrorist organization as non-member" and up to 20 years in prison for "espionage."

Brunson was arrested in December 2016 and his detention was turned into house arrest on July 25, 2018. (PT/TK)