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ACLJ: American Pastor in 'Extraordinary Danger;' Group Continues to Fight for 'Immediate Freedom'

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American Pastor Andrew Brunson continues to remain in prison in Turkey. He's been incarcerated for nearly a year.

Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice, said President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet with the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on Thursday at the United Nations. No word yet if Brunson's imprisonment was discussed.

"He is in extraordinary danger," wrote Sekulow in an email.

"He is isolated and alone with no access to justice in Turkey," Sekulow said. "Pastor Andrew has endured devastating persecution and suffering solely because of his love for Christ."

Brunson, 48, faces charges of espionage, acquiring secret political and military information, attempting to destroy constitutional order and overthrowing the Turkish parliament, in addition to alleged "membership in an armed terroristic organization," The Wall Street Journal reported.

Brunson has said his reason for living in Turkey for the past 23 years was "...for one purpose only. To tell about Jesus Christ," according to the ACLJ. He has also said that he has "...done this openly, in front of the government," the ACLJ reported.   

"Pastor Andrew now faces new, more serious, and demonstrably false charges carrying even stiffer punishments, if convicted," Sekulow said. "We're aggressively fighting for Pastor Andrew's immediate freedom."

Nearly 350,000 people have signed an ACLJ petition: "Free American Pastor Andrew Brunson."

Interestingly, a new emergency decree in Turkey gives Erdogan the right to return inmates to their home countries.

"Please pray that President Erdogan would use the authority he was given by a new decree (694) to return prisoners to their home countries on Andrew's behalf!" a September 16 post on Andrew and Norine Brunson's Facebook page exclaims.

Brunson and his wife Norine have lived in Turkey since 1993. They raised three children there and serve a small Presbyterian church in the coastal city of Izmir.

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About The Author

Mark
Martin

Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club. Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general