Posted on 10/12/2018 7:03:26 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was swept up in a wave of arrests in the wake a failed coup attempt in Turkey, was released on Friday, easing a major controversy between the United States and the NATO ally.
A judge ordered Brunson's release as part of a reported deal in which President Trump will ease economic pressure on President Recep Tayyip Erdogans country. Turkey is not dropping the case against Brunson. The prosecutor demanded up to 10 years in prison for terror charges, a pro-government outlet reported, but Brunson will be allowed to leave the country.
The Second High Criminal Court in western Izmir province on Friday ruled for American pastor Andrew Craig Brunson to be sentenced to three years, one month and 15 days in prison, but said he will not spend anymore time in custody because of the time he has already served, Daily Sabah reported.
Trump tweeted in support of Brunson's release Friday morning.
The Trump administration has made Brunsons case a top priority for the U.S.-Turkey relationship. Erdogan had hoped to exchange Brunson for Pennsylvania-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, whom he has accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt, but the pastors detention instead served to stoke U.S. frustration with Turkeys lurch toward authoritarian rule.
There is no credible evidence against him, Vice President Mike Pence said at a summit on religious freedom in July. "If Turkey does not take immediate action to free this innocent man of faith and send him home to America, the United States will impose significant sanctions on Turkey until Pastor Andrew Brunson is free.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
What ransom did we pay?
Turkey needs help with the Saudis.
Kerry packed the cash and delivered it on his paddle board.
Latest reports show Kerry using multiple vehicles on his secret mission to free the pastor.
Maybe we gave them the old "Let him go or we'll kick your ass!"
MAGA bump !!!
I agree.
One of the meager number of benefits of age - perspective born of watching history.
I will believe it when he clears Turkish airspace.
This pressure applied by Trump is something that the HomoPresident would never have done. HomoPresident would likely have counseled Erdogan to pile on more charges and prison time for the pastor.
Turkey is no friend of the US. In terms of our national interests, we need to maintain good relations with the Saudis. The Turks dont like the Saudis.
Erdie no doubt it unwise to argue with the master of 30 legions.
This master of 30 legions, at any rate....
I’ve said Trump will use the probably dead journalist’s demise to get the pastor released. Sure enough. Good on Trump.
Trump cracks me up. People keep saying,
“How you going let these people save face?” Referring to the tense negotiations, whether it be with Canada, or China, or Turkety etc. Trump says, “Let them figure it out.”
And they do. Erdie, saved face for everyone. The guy is convicted, serves his sentence and released. Erdie, I’m sure asked for a million dollars upfront, and was told to pound sand.
I don’t see Trump paying ransom, unless we have no choice in the matter.
Obama dealt the cards for Trump.
Funny how we wake up each morning, and the world seems to be a safer place, doesn’t it, Folks?
Sad day for leftists because they enjoy the persecution of Christians.
RE: Being a Christian minister in a Muslim (anything) is always a losing preposition.
This pastor has been ministering in Turkey for close to a quarter of a century without any issues.
Only AFTER Erdogan came to power did his work become suspect. This came to a head after the failed coup against Erdogan a few years ago.
The Turkish government suspected a cleric living in Pennsylvania as the mastermind behind the coup. They used Pastor Brunson as leverage to force the USA to extradite this cleric.
Hopefully none....other than we let Turkey stay in NATO and receive foreign aid.
Less a “failed coup” than a grab for raw power — IIRC, the event was ‘proven’ to have been staged.
Erdogan has been part of the drive to force ‘Western” influences out of Turkey - making it a Muslim state.
Turkey has been a big player in the current conflict in the ME - much of that is being driven by funding from both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Turkey being demonstrably on the side of Iran....
Looks like Air Station Izmir is still active in a small way.
That will be the news story tonight.
Its great to see our government making sure people dont take Americans. Its been awful watching our citizens rotting in captivity
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