Trump Welcomes Freed Pastor Brunson To White House

Sumaira FH Published October 14, 2018 | 12:11 AM

US President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed Pastor Andrew Brunson in the Oval Office after he was released by a Turkish court.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th October, 2018) US President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed Pastor Andrew Brunson in the Oval Office after he was released by a Turkish court.

"I want to congratulate you because you have galvanized this country... I know what you have gone through... It is not an easy situation for Turkey either," Trump said, sitting next to the pastor.

He again thanked the Turkish president for making the pastor's return possible after he was imprisoned in Turkey for two years.

Brunson took a moment to pray for President Trump, in the televised meeting, saying he was grateful that the US leader had fought for him.

He also said he loved Turkey.

Brunson was detained three years ago over his alleged ties to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of plotting the 2016 failed military coup.

The pastor was released from prison in July, only to be moved to house arrest. He was allowed to walk free on Friday after a court in Izmir ruled he did not have to serve any more jail time. He soon boarded a plane for the United States.