Listen to this article

The U.S President Donald Trump met with Pastor Andrew Brunson in his Oval Office. Brunson faced at least 2-years of detention in Turkey. He knelt before the U.S President during a meeting and prayed for him. He asked that he will make a great blessing for this country. It is noteworthy that Brunson touched down at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. He was released on Friday as kissing an American flag that he was given. Trump said during his remarks in the Oval Office that the United States has been working long and hard to secure the release of Brunson, and that the pastor’s strength and faith.

Trump said, “I just need to congratulate you. There’s so much interest, and it’s your faith, your strength, what you’ve gone through”. “Right now the whole world is a fan of yours”. The Brunson had been in the Turkish prison after being arrested for alleged links to political groups including a banned movement related to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen. His arrest followed the failed coup in 2016 which Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed on Gulen. He was convicted for those crimes on Friday but was released from custody due to the time he had spent behind bars.

Additional espionage charges that had been brought against him were dropped. Trump had tweeted about his planned meeting before the Oval Office meeting with Brunson. He said that he was excited to see the pastor. Trump wrote on Twitter, “It will be wonderful to see and meet him”. “He is a great Christian who has been through such a tough experience”. Brunson informed reporters after his release that he now plans to spend time with his wife and children. Trump said in the Oval Office meeting that he believes Brunson’s release was a tremendous step towards a better relationship between Turkey and the United States.