There’s more confusion coming from Turkey regarding an American Christian pastor who has been held in jail without charges for more than a year.
After a news report said the prosecutor had formulated counts against Andrew Brunson, word came that only a draft of the charges has been prepared but not released.
News of the latest mismanagement of Brunson’s case by Turkish officials comes from the American Center for Law and Justice, which has been defending Brunson since his arrest Oct. 7, 2016, in Izmir.
The international religious rights organization revealed this week that Brunson’s Turkish lawyer met with a prosecutor in the case, and the prosecutor denied news reports “that an indictment has been turned in.”
“Apparently, a draft has been prepared but it has not yet been turned in to the court,” ACLJ said. “Since the case remains sealed, we will have to wait for the coming weeks to see how this situation plays out. In the meantime, Pastor Andrew remains behind bars, separated from his family, now for almost a year and a half. ”
Originally, the claims against Brunson were to have been delivered to a court, which would have 15 days to decide whether the case would proceed.
Since there are no charges to contest, there is no option in Turkey for release on bail.
ACLJ noted Brunson was arrested “despite having committed no crime and having peacefully lived out his religious beliefs in service to the people of Turkey for over two decades.”
“Pastor Brunson’s case has not only caught the world’s attention, but also that of President Trump, who himself has demanded Pastor Brunson’s release on several occasions. However, as indicated by President Erdoğan’s recent demand to swap Pastor Brunson for Fethullah Gülen, it seems Pastor Brunson has become a political prisoner and bargaining chip for Turkey.”
ACLJ said there’s “no evidence” for any accusations against Brunson.
The legal group said Turkey’s action will now be evaluated by the incoming secretary of state, former congressman Mike Pompeo, an attorney and former military captain, who is currently the head of the CIA.
The current secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, recently visited Turkey as a part of a newly established working group created to repair U.S. and Turkey relations, ACLJ noted.
“We have been working closely with the State Department fighting for Pastor Brunson’s release, and we look forward to continuing to do so under the leadership of the new secretary of state.”
WND reported in February Brunson issued a message, distributed by ACLJ, asking for prayer and expressing discouragement.
Brunson wrote in a message to his wife: “I am very discouraged. Please have prayer for me. I love you – can’t handle the thought of growing old in this place, without you.”
ACLJ, describing him as “a political prisoner,” said one of the problems is that until charges are filed, the case file assembled by police or prosecutors is secret.
WND reported in January when 24 members of the Council of Europe signed a document demanding Turkey release Brunson.
The written declaration criticizes Erdogan for using Brunson as “a bargaining chip” with the U.S. to extradite Gulen, whom Erdogan blames for the failed coup attempt in July 2016.
Brunson had served as a pastor in Turkey for more than 23 years before his arrest.
ACLJ said its international affiliate, the European Centre for Law and Justice, submitted a written question to the Council’s Committee of Ministers “with the argument that Turkey is violating its international commitments to respect and apply human rights within its territory.”
The question to the ministers was: “What do you intend to do to ensure that Turkey adheres to its European commitments and obligations. And what can you do to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the European Convention by Pastor Brunson?”
Eventually, 24 members of the council – from Moldova, Sweden, Ukraine, Romania, Ireland, Armenia, Spain, San Marino, Poland, Serbia, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Hungary, Netherlands and Croatia – signed a document stating Brunson has been held for more than 400 days, “without any reason, and in blatant violation of his rights.”
The ministers’ statement said: “He has lived under inhumane conditions and lost over 50 pounds. While no evidence had ever been set forth to substantiate any crime from him, the Turkish authorities have systematically denied the multiple appeals contesting his detention.”
WND reported in late 2017 Turkey was not only accusing Brunson of terrorism but also espionage and attempting to overthrow the Turkish government, which could bring life in prison and possibly even the death penalty if he is convicted.
Turkey, once held up as an example of a moderate Islam friendly to Western values, has been sliding backward in recent years. The latest crackdowns on Christianity signaled an acceleration of its return to Islamic Shariah law under the Erdogan regime.
For example, the country, which is 99 percent Muslim, recently seized ownership of 50 churches.
The last time Turkey was ruled by Shariah, under the Ottoman Empire, it slaughtered more than 1.5 million Christians of Greek, Armenian and Syrian descent.
