US President Donald Trump said on Friday he hopes Pastor Andrew Brunson will safely return to the United States soon after his release from Turkish custody.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) US President Donald Trump said on Friday he hopes Pastor Andrew Brunson will safely return to the United States soon after his release from Turkish custody.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Brunson, and we hope to have him safely back home soon!" Trump said in a Twitter message.
Trump made this statement shortly after NTV television reported that a Turkish court sentenced Brunson to time served, and released him from house arrest.
Turkish authorities arrested Brunson in 2016 over his alleged ties to the movement of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey holds responsible for orchestrating a failed military coup the same year. Authorities released Brunson from prison in July, but required him to remain in Turkey under house arrest.
