Trump says he is 'more of a spy' than US pastor on trial in Turkey

US President Donald Trump has tweeted in defence of an American pastor on trial in Turkey, describing the accused as a 'fine gentleman'.
MENA
2 min read
The New Arab & agencies
18 April, 2018
Donald Trump said he is 'more a spy' than Andrew Brunson [AFP]

US President Donald Trump tweeted late on Tuesday to defend an American pastor being tried in Turkey on charges of espionage and aiding terror groups.

Turkey claims that Andrew Brunson, who has been held since 2016, is a supporter of exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen, a former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is accused by Ankara of masterminding the country's failed coup in 2016.

"Pastor Andrew Brunson, a fine gentleman and Christian leader in the United States, is on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason," Trump said in the tweet.


"They call him a Spy, but I am more a Spy than he is. Hopefully he will be allowed to come home to his beautiful family where he belongs!" the post continued.

Brunson, a 50-year-old evangelical pastor from North Carolina, faces up to 35 years in prison in a case that has caused friction between NATO allies Washington and Ankara.

A Turkish court ruled on Monday to keep Brunson in custody, deeming him to be a flight risk.

In his statement to the court, Brunson rejected the accusations of links to Gulen's group, saying: "That would be an insult to my religion. I am a Christian. I would not join an Islamic movement."

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