Turkey Pushes Back Against Freeing US Pastor Brunson: 5 Things to Know

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 30, 2018

2. Turkish Politicians Against Brunson's Release

A man waves Turkey's national flag during the Democracy and Martyrs Rally, organized by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, November 12, 2016. | (Photo: Reuters/Umit Bektas)

Erdogan has been criticized by rival Turkish politicians who say that authorities should not have allowed Brunson to leave prison, insisting that the terror charges against him should not be overlooked, regardless of U.S. wishes.

"Turkey is now a country under the command of the U.S. and allied countries," opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy group leader, Engin Ozkoc, said last week.

Ozkoc said that Erdogan is trying to ease relations with the U.S. by moving Brunson to house arrest.

"A president who said 'yes sir,' just because the U.S. president asked, has released this person (Brunson). He (the U.S. president) said 'you cannot keep the individual whom I've sent there as a missionary," he added, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

"I am ashamed. I cannot find words. The president of Turkey, who said 'give the pastor, take the pastor,' has handed over the pastor to the U.S.," Ozkoc argued, in reference to the president suggesting in September 2017 that Brunson will only be released if Pennsylvania-based cleric Fethullah Gulen is extradited by the U.S.