Trump Tweets About Priest Brunson Jailed in Turkey: I am More Spy Than He is

Click to read the article in Turkish

US President Donald Trump has posted a Tweet in support of US citizen Priest Andrew Brunson, who has been standing trial on charges of “military and political espionage” and “committing crime on behalf of a terrorist organization as non-member” in Turkey.

Saying that Brunson is tried in Turkey for no reason, Trump tweeted:

“Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason. They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!”

Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason. They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 18 Nisan 2018

He has been behind bars for 16 months

Priest of Diriliş Kilisesi (Resurrection Church) in İzmir, priest Andrew Craig Brunson had his first hearing at İzmir 2nd Heavy Penal Court on Monday (April 16) after 16-month detention. Accused of “military and political espionage”, many charges are pressed against Brunson including “Contacting FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization) members to be able to open a church in Turkey”.

The court ruled for the continuation of arrest of Brunson in the first hearing. The next hearing is on May 7, 2018. (PT/TK)