The United States has brokered a deal with Turkey for the release of North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson, after almost two years of him being held in a Turkish jail.
According to NBC News, the White House reached a deal with the Turkish authorities that will allow for Brunson to return to the U.S. in the next several days.
Under the agreement made between senior White House officials and the Turkish government, Brunson should be released after specific charges are dropped against him at his next court hearing on Friday.
The pastor was being held on charges of conspiring to overthrow the Turkish government and being a part of a terrorist group.
Though specific details of the deal have not been released, a source told NBC that in exchange for Brunson, the U.S. has committed to easing economic pressure on Turkey.
When Brunson was moved out of the Turkish prison and placed under house arrest in July, many people were hopeful that Brunson would be returned to the U.S. soon after.
Now, after several months under house arrest, the Turkish government has decided to release the pastor. According to Fox News, on October 12, Brunson stood before a Turkish court for a final hearing and it was decided that the pastor would be released and sentenced to time served.
The exact date of his return to the U.S. is not yet known, but President Trump has voiced on Twitter that Pastor Brunson will be home soon.
PASTOR BRUNSON JUST RELEASED. WILL BE HOME SOON!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2018
Photo courtesy: World Witness Facebook
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