Detailed Ruling: Brunson is Not a Spy

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The detailed ruling of US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson, who was sentenced to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in prison on October 12, 2018 on the allegation that he committed crimes and engaged in espionage on behalf of the FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization) and the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), has been announced.

In the ruling, it has been claimed that Brunson was in cooperation with the FETÖ by acting with a "win-win" principle and he aided the organization though he was not a part of its hierarchy.

"He had connections with some members of FETÖ"

As reported by the Demirören News Agency (DHA), the detailed ruling has alleged that US Pastor Brunson had connections with some members of the FETÖ, which is held responsible for staging the attempted coup on July 15, 2016, such as Bekir Baz and Murat Safa.

In the ruling, it has also been stated that some elements in the messages of Brunson "reveal the parallelism between his opinions regarding the coup attempt and those of the FETÖ."

"He attempted to impose Kurdistan"

The detailed ruling regarding US Pastor Brunson has also indicated, "The perspective which considers at least some part of Turkey, which falls within the boundaries determined by the national pact, as Kurdistan was attempted to be imposed on the members of the church."

It has also been claimed in the ruling that "Brunson acted with a 'win-win' principle as he also did with the FETÖ and was in communication and interaction with the PKK and its extensions."

The ruling has also stated, "Adequate evidence as to the charges of political and military espionage has not been found."

What happened?

CLICK - Summary of Pastor Brunson Trial

US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson faced up to 15 years in prison on charge of "committing crimes in the name of a terrorist organization as a non-member" and up to 20 years in prison on charge of "espionage".

Pastor Brunson was arrested in December 2016 and was placed under house arrest on July 25, 2018.

All objections to Brunson's arrest which had been submitted by his attorney İsmail Cem Halavurt were rejected.

Halavurt applied to the Constitutional Court on October 3, 2018 and demanded that Brunson be released from house arrest and his international travel ban be lifted.

At this fourth last hearing held on October 12, 2018, The court board ruled that Brunson shall be sentenced to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in prison and lifted the house arrest and international travel ban, which were previously issued for Brunson.

Brunson has been released considering the time that he spent in prison. (EMK/SD)