American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been in Turkish detention for two years, is now on his way back to the United States after Ankara announced his release, lawyer Jay Sekulow said in a press release on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been in Turkish detention for two years, is now on his way back to the United States after Ankara announced his release, lawyer Jay Sekulow said in a press release on Friday.
"The fact that he is now on a plane to the United States can only be viewed as a significant victory for Pastor Brunson and his family," Sekulow, the chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, said in the release.
Brunson was arrested in Turkey in 2016 over his alleged links to the movement of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen.
The attorney praised President Donald Trump, members of his administration and Congress for applying significant pressure to ensure Brunson's release.
Trump announced in a Twitter message earlier in the day that the American pastor has been released and will be home soon.
Pastor Brunson said in a statement before he left Turkey that he was grateful to Trump for his efforts in securing his release. He also said he was looking forward to coming back to the United States and being able to reunite with his family.
