There was a great celebration in Washington and throughout the country as Andrew Craig Brunson, an evangelical Christian pastor originally from Black Mountain who had been jailed in Turkey, came home over the weekend.
…While Brunson was detained in Turkey, several senators, including U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, were hard at work on his behalf, urging the Turkish government to release him. Tillis traveled with others to Turkey twice to observe court proceedings and visit Brunson in prison.
Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo also championed his cause.
Tillis released a statement on hearing of Brunson’s imminent release that read, in part, “While the Brunson family has been caught in the middle of a diplomatic and political nightmare for the last two years, their unwavering optimism and faith kept them strong during this very difficult and stressful time. Despite the anguish Pastor Brunson has had to endure locked away in prison with his fate uncertain, I was personally inspired when I watched him stand up in a Turkish courtroom during his trial — facing an effective lifetime sentence — and announce that he harbored no animosity or bitterness towards the individuals who falsely accused him. That is a testament to his incredible character and devotion to the principles of his faith, which he shared with the Turkish people for more than twenty years.”
Along with the pressure of international awareness, tariffs and sanctions imposed by Trump in August seems to have had an influence.
Turkey is still holding Serkan Golge, a Turkish-American NASA scientist arrested in the same crackdown, and three Turkish citizens who worked at American diplomatic missions. We can’t forget them.
Nor can we forget the decidedly authoritarian direction in which Turkish President Recep Erdogan has taken the nation, consolidating power and cracking down severely on dissent. Better relations between Turkey, a NATO ally, and the U.S. would be useful all around, especially in cases such as the recent disappearance and likely murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian journalist and U.S. resident who hasn’t been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Maybe Turkey’s assistance would help improve relations — but so would a turn back toward democracy.
We’re grateful for the vigilance of Tillis and others who kept fighting, never giving up hope, for the release of one of our own.
Click here to read the editorial.
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