Posted on 04/19/2018 3:02:47 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, incarcerated in Turkey since October 2016, burst into tears at the first hearing of his trial on terrorism charges in Turkey on Monday.
Brunson sobbed before telling a court in the city of Izmir that he was in a single-person cell and suffering psychologically, according to Hurriyet newspaper. Brunson said he was taking pills to treat his condition and had asked to be transferred out of solitary confinement.
The U.S. pastor is on trial for aiding and abetting the Fethullah Gulen movement, an Islamist movement that Turkey blames for masterminding a coup attempt in July 2016 and labels a terrorist organization. He denies the charges, which carry a prison sentence of 35 years. In his statement to the court, Brunson once more proclaimed his innocence.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “The state has always kept an eye on us. I’ve never done anything against Turkey. Rather I love Turkey. I am praying for Turkey for 25 years. I’m innocent. I want the truth to come out now. I do not agree with any of the claims or charges.”
..
WSJ wrote with regards to the trial:
The accusation that the pastor has had links to supporters of Mr. Gulen is also tied to a picture investigators found in his phone, according to court documents. The picture features a meat-and-rice dish widely popular across the Middle East, Maqluba, which is described as a Gulenist delicacy in the court documents.
Mr. Brunson said his daughter had sent him the picture but added he didn’t know the dish’s name at the time or its alleged connection to Gulenists.
“I learned of this dish in the indictment file,” Mr. Brunson told judges.
(Excerpt) Read more at ahvalnews.com ...
Pastor Brunson has been in prison without charges for 17 months.
Erdogan has insisted for the US to send him Gulen and he would sent the Pastor to the U.S.
Thank you for the post. I’ve been praying for Pastor Andrew.
Interesting. Thanks for posting. BUMP for pastor Andrew Brunson.
Were it up to me I’d send in the proper US military units to free the Pastor and to do so with extreme prejudice.
Suffering psychologically?
Be careful what you wish for.
If they move you to general population in a Turkish prison, you will be suffering in every way conceivable!
I’m thinking that if I ever find myself in a Turkish prison, I wouldn’t object to solitary confinement.
70 or 80 cruise missiles hitting turkey might be in order
It’s always great to hear that believers are praying for Pastor Brunson.
I’ve been praying for him every day and urge every Christian here to please keep him in prayer.
Jay Sekulow and the American Center for Law and Justice has been working on this case from the beginning.
In fact, he dedicated three days of his radio broadcasts this week on this subject alone.
Jay said today that there are currently diplomatic discussions going on at the highest level with Turkey officials.
The President had already made more than one call to Erdogan, personally.
I’m praying for him as well. Erdogan needs his a** kicked, BADLY.
“For a nation of pigs it sure’s funny you don’t eat ‘em”.
“Erdogan needs his a** kicked, BADLY.”
Yes .. I hope and pray that happens very soon.
The ‘Gulen’ Movement?
Well, they make good mustard.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.