The court hearing on May 7th did not have the outcome for American pastor Andrew Brunson that many had hoped and prayed for. Andrew Brunson, who has worked as a pastor in Turkey for 23 years with his wife Norine, has been unjustly imprisoned in Turkey for 580 days. Andrew faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted on the false and very serious espionage and terrorism-related charges against him. After the hearing on May 7, Andrew was sent back to his jail cell and he can look forward to spending more than 70 days in an overcrowded jail cell before the next hearing takes place on July 18.
Nothing new under the sun
The second day of Andrew's trial, which lasted almost 12 hours, was in many ways similar to his first day in court on April 16. The prosecution had called seven witnesses, two of whom were so-called secret witnesses. These secret witnesses were not present in the courtroom itself, but their voices and faces, rendered unrecognizable, were transmitted via video call to the court. It came out during the meeting that none of the seven witnesses had personally seen or heard Andrew Brunson do anything wrong, they were just repeating what others had told them, says CeCe Heil of the ACLJ.
A food dish as proof
In the 62-page indictment, the prosecution presented evidence in the form of a photo taken by Andrew's daughter Jaqueline when she was in college in North Carolina, USA, which she had at some point sent to her father. The photo shows a group of young women gathered around a Turkish meal called "Maklube". "Maklube" is a dish typically made by members of Fethullah Gülen's organization (FETO) when they gather for meetings and religious gatherings. The photo is just one of many absurd pieces of evidence that Turkish authorities believe links Andrew Brunson to Fethullah Gülen and his organization FETO.
"It's crazy that they're using my picture. This picture was taken my freshman year of college. I was with the girls from my dorm. One of the girls was from Turkey and she knew I was homesick. She invited me and some friends to dinner and had made a Turkish dish. I had never tasted it before and I didn't know the name of it, but it was Turkish food and I was happy to have it.", Jaqueline tells Andrew's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, about the prosecution's use of the photo as evidence.
Andrew is accused of "Christianization"
After Andrew's first day in court on April 16, it was clearer than ever before that Andrew is imprisoned for his faith. Andrew's crime is evangelizing Kurds, which Turkey calls "Christianization" and which it now considers an act of terrorism. The prosecution alleges that Andrew's evangelization among Kurds is intended to make Kurds rebel against the Turkish state and divide the country into two parts, a Kurdish part and a Fethullah Gülen part. The 62-page indictment alleges that Andrew has used his role as an evangelical pastor as a cover for terrorist acts and that he is in league with the PKK and Fethullah Gülen, who Turkey suspects was behind the 2016 coup attempt.
Pastor Andrew has maintained his innocence for the past year and a half, repeatedly stating that he has only been in Turkey for one reason, to tell people about Jesus, and he maintained this innocence during the hearing on April 16. "I do not accept the charges mentioned in the indictment. I have never been involved in any illegal activities", said Andrew.
It comes as no surprise that the indictment provides no evidence that Andrew committed any criminal acts.
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 mentions Armageddon as the beginning of the battle according to the Christian faith. He claims that Protestants believe that Turkey's president is the antichrist and that American Protestants expect to be the vanguard in the 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.
It has been a great disappointment for Andrew and his family that he was not released after the first hearing and it is unfortunately not unlikely that such a trial could drag on for up to 10 years. The court process is putting a lot of pressure on Andrew, who has bravely defended his innocence in court, but has broken down crying several times in the courtroom. Please join us in praying for him and his family.
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 in 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.
