Andrew Brunson, a pastor for over 20 years in Turkey, was arrested in the Turkish coastal city of Izmir (biblical Smyrna) on October 7, 2016, and has been imprisoned ever since. He and his family have lived in Turkey since 1993.

At the time of his arrest, he was serving as pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church in Izmir.

His trial is scheduled to begin on April 16.

He faces charges of espionage, acquiring secret political and military information, attempting to destroy constitutional order and overthrowing the Turkish parliament, and membership in an armed terrorist organization.

If convicted of the charges in the 62-page indictment filed by the prosecutor, Andrew could be sentenced to 35 years in prison. The indictment charges Brunson with helping terrorist organizations and of trying to convert Turks to Christianity.

“The indictment does not contain any real evidence. There is no real legal proof to use against him. It is a very political hostage case. That is why [the Turkish authorities] had to demand the worst punishment against him, to make him more valuable.” (Soner Tufan, spokesperson for the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey)

“There’s not a lot that can be diplomatically done by Christian churches here because we’re talking about a dictator who’s not going to respond to our pleas,” Curry said in a news release. “And in some cases, in some ways, it may be counterproductive. So we’re going to have to be prayerful about this.” (David Curry, Open Doors USA)

Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called for Brunson’s release during a meeting in Ankara last month.

Last May, President Donald Trump also pushed for Brunson’s release during a meeting with Erdogan.

Last September, Erdogan indicated that the fate of Brunson relied on the U.S. government’s willingness to hand over Gulen.

USCIRF (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom) is calling on the U.S. government and Congress to utilize all their options to pressure Turkey, a NATO member, to release Brunson — even if it means imposing sanctions.

Fact Sheet Source:  Compiled by Esther Wong from various sources and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church