Hopes about American pastor's release raised

NEWS DESK

The American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been detained in Turkey since 2016, is being tried in Turkey's Izmir city today, and a report by the BBC said US Vice President Mike Bens expressed optimism before the court session.

The report pointed out that Brunson was arrested in the wake of the failed coup in Turkey in July 2016 on the pretext that he had links with political groups accused Ankara of terrorism.

the report said the US pastor, who has been under house arrest since his release last July, denies spying charges against him and could be sentenced to 35 years in prison,.

Brunson's detention has damaged relations between Washington and Ankara, and Washington has imposed sanctions on Ankara, causing a collapse of the Turkish lira.

The Washington Post and NBC News reported on Thursday unnamed sources that an agreement had been reached between the United States and Turkey to release Brunson.

Mike Bens said in press conference, "We still hope for the release of the pastor, the good man who did not commit any wrongdoing and who was jailed for years in Turkey unjustly."

He added that the Trump administration is disturbed by Turkey's actions and will continue to put pressure on Ankara until it releases the pastor .

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ANHA