Iva Duffin: Free at Last: Andrew Brunson Released by Turkey After Two Years

American pastor was imprisoned on false charges of terrorism.

American pastor Andrew Brunson has been released after being detained for two years in Turkey.

At a hearing this morning, a Turkish court in Sakran freed him from judicial control, which lifts his house arrest and travel ban.

Though the verdict sentenced him to 3 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison, Brunson may return home to the United States as soon as today due to good behavior and time already served.

NBC News broke the news yesterday of the expected deal between Turkey and the United States over Brunson, a North Carolina pastor who had worked in Izmir for decades and was arrested on terrorism and espionage charges in the aftermath of a failed coup in 2016.

US officials and religious freedom considered the charges against Brunson to be erroneous, and many witnesses retracted their testimonies against him during today’s hearing.

Trump administration officials were optimistic but cautious that Turkey would follow through on the deal, reported The Washington Post. The deal would likely lift recent US sanctions in exchange for Brunson’s release by being sentenced today to time already served.

Officials expect Brunson to “be handed back his passport and put on a plane to the US,” reported The Wall Street Journal.

US Christians have been praying and advocating for Brunson throughout his imprisonment, and leaders including Family Research Council president Tony Perkins and New York pastor Bill Devlin joined him in Turkey for the long-awaited hearing.

Brunson faced up to a 35-year prison sentence, but maintained his innocence throughout. “I am an innocent man on all these charges. I reject them,” he had stated. “I know why I am here. I am here to suffer in Jesus’s name.”

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