Seven months ago I wrote about Pastor Andrew Brunson, imprisoned by the tyrannical Erdoğan regime in Turkey on spurious charges. He’s been held there now for more than a year and a half.
 
His “trial” starts tomorrow (April 16th). This update is from the ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice) ~

 
As Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) said after a visit with Andrew in late March ~

“There should be no mistake that Pastor Brunson is the victim of false accusations, and we call upon the Turkish authorities to honestly and transparently review his indictment. Pastor Brunson is being used as a political pawn by some elements of the Turkish government.”

Here’s a further plea from Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsel ~

Christianity is on trial. Christianization isn’t terrorism. It’s an absolute outrage.
 
Pastor Andrew peacefully served the people of Turkey as a Christian pastor – following the law without issue – for 23 years.
We cannot allow Turkey – our supposed NATO ally – to sentence a U.S. citizen to the rest of his life behind bars for being a Christian and living out his faith.
 
We’ve mobilized on Capitol Hill and at the White House. Now we’re urging the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to intervene for Pastor Andrew.

 
PLEASE PRAY! Also, sign ACLJ’s petition.
 
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Related:
Here are 16 Facts About Pastor Andrew Brunson via ACLJ ~

1. He is a United States citizen, born in South Carolina.
2. His Home church is Christ Community Church in Montreat, N.C.
3. Graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL in 1991.
4. Lived in Turkey for 23 years with his wife and 3 children without incident.
5. Pastored Izmir Resurrection Church in Izmir, Turkey.
6. Was applying for permanent residency in Turkey before his arrest.
7. Was imprisoned on October 7, 2016.
8. Our Petition to free Pastor Andrew has more than 500,000 signatures from 202 nations and territories worldwide, including Turkey, advocating for his release.
9. His daughter has appeared before Congress and the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on his behalf to ask for intervention.
10. Turkish President Erdoğan has suggested a swap of Pastor Andrew in exchange for Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish cleric currently residing in Pennsylvania.
11. Was not charged until after being imprisoned for 17 months without any evidence and no access to his file.
12. Has lost over 50 lbs. in prison.
13. Is falsely charged with membership in an armed terrorist organization and military/political espionage.
14. A large percentage of the 62-page indictment presented against him is comprised of rhetoric by unknown “secret witnesses.”
15. Was recently visited in prison by North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis.
16. The prosecution is asking for 35 years in prison, which at age 50 amounts to a life sentence.