American Pastor on Trial in Turkey
4/17/18 Turkey (Egypt Independent)
(This is the latest news related to our article of March 22, 2018)
Andrew Brunson, an American pastor who led a Protestant church in Izmir, went on trial in Turkey on April 16, charged with engaging in terror-related activities. He has been in prison for one and a half years, and faces 35 years in prison if found guilty. Turkish prosecutors have charged Brunson with engaging in activities on behalf of the group led by Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom the government says is behind the failed 2016 coup, and his second hearing is scheduled for May 7. However, the charges on April 16 appeared lighter than those outlined in the original indictment published on March 13. The latest indictment explicitly states he is not charged with being a member of Gulen’s group.
Please pray…
- Pray for Pastor Brunson to peace and strength while he awaits his next hearing.
- Pray that his lawyer will do all he possibly can to defend Pastor Brunson and that the truth will come out in the trial.
- Pray for Pastor Brunson’s family as they continue to hope and pray for his release.