The first day of court is now over for Andrew Brunson and it is clearer than ever before that Andrew is imprisoned for his faith. Many, including Andrew himself, his family and lawyer, had hoped that the case would be closed or that Andrew would at least be released on bail.
Andrew is to remain in custody until the next hearing, which is scheduled for May 7. It was also decided that Andrew should be transferred and he is now back in the prison he was originally in, which is a worrying development. The prison is notorious for its poor conditions, with 22 people crammed into an eight-man cell.
The trial
During the trial, 50-60 people were present, including 15 members of the press, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, according to CeCe Heil of the ACLJ, who was present during the trial.
Pastor Andrew has maintained his innocence for the past year and a half and has repeatedly stated that he has only been in Turkey for one reason, to tell people about Jesus, and he maintained this innocence during yesterday's hearing. "I do not accept the charges mentioned in the indictment. I have never been involved in any illegal activities", said Andrew.
Andrew and his lawyer were only given access to the 62-page indictment less than a month ago, despite repeatedly requesting it over the past year and a half. Unsurprisingly, the indictment provides no evidence that Andrew committed any criminal offenses, as the court hearing made clear. Andrew's Turkish lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt repeated several times during the hearing: "You have no case against my client", as he is convinced of Andrew's innocence.
Several anonymous witnesses testified in the case. The so-called secret witnesses were not present in the courtroom itself, but their voices, which were rendered unrecognizable, were transmitted via video call to the court.
A political case
With yesterday's court hearing, it is clear that Andrew is accused of 'Christianization', as Turkey calls Brunson's evangelizing work among the Kurds, which the prosecution claims aims to make the Kurds rebel against the Turkish state and divide the country into two parts, a Kurdish part and a Fethullah Gülen part. It is thought-provoking that Turkey now considers evangelization, or 'Christianization', an act of terrorism. The indictment alleges that Andrew has used his function as an evangelical pastor as a cover for terrorist acts. Andrew is still accused of being in cahoots with Fethullah Gülen, who Turkey suspects was behind the 2016 coup attempt, and the Kurdish rebel organization PKK.
The secret witness
A secret witness codenamed "Dua", which means "Prayer", has given his interpretation of Christianity in the 62-page indictment. Dua spends about 25 pages making absurd claims about Christianity for which he has no evidence. Dua claims that Protestants believe that Turkey's president is the Antichrist, whom American Protestants consider to be the vanguard in a coming war. Dua further states that the war will be initiated by Israel. In addition, Dua accuses Protestants of believing that all people are slaves of the sons of Protestantism and Israel.
Dua's characterization of Christianity is not only inaccurate, it is outright untrue. Andrew faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted on the false and very serious charges against him.
You can help Andrew right now by:
- Pray for him. Pray for strength for Andrew and for Andrew's lawyer to have wisdom in the legal process. Pray for protection for everyone involved or connected to Andrew's case.
- Write to the Turkish authorities and ask them to release Andrew.
Click here to download the appeal letter.
Sign and date the appeal letter and send it scanned to the Danish European Mission at: info@forfulgtekristne.dk or by post to Danish European Mission, Drejervej 15, 2400 Copenhagen NV. The Danish European Mission will then forward the appeal to the Turkish Ministry of the Interior.