Turkey: American Pastor Brunson in Prison; ISIS Terrorists Roam Free

by Uzay Bulut
July 21, 2018 at 5:00 am

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12736/turkey-american-pastor-brunson-in-prison-isis

"Incredibly, the indictment now admits that Turkey considers 'Christianization' to be an act of terrorism" – The American Center for Law and Justice
Meanwhile, there are ISIS sleeper cell houses in seventy cities across Turkey, according to a 2015 "confidential" note by a Turkish chief of police.
Turkey's arbitrary arrests of Brunson, Erdem and many other innocent individuals expose Erdogan's regime as a brutal dictatorship that invades its neighbors, does not tolerate diversity, and that targets Christians and peaceful dissidents who oppose jihad – actions that run counter to the US State Department's minimum requirements for membership in NATO.

A Turkish court has decided to continue holding American Pastor Andrew Brunson in prison, to await a fourth hearing on October 12. Brunson, who has been in jail in Turkey since October 7, 2016, is accused of "membership in an armed terrorist organization." His first court hearing took place on April 16 this year, after 18 months in detention.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemned the charges and is calling for Brunson's immediate release. In a statement released on July 18, USCIRF Vice Chair Kristina Arriaga excoriated the Turkish government, which she accused of "continu[ing] to make a mockery of justice in its treatment of Pastor Brunson."

Denouncing Brunson's case as a "miscarriage of justice," Arriaga added, "Turkish authorities still have not provided one good reason for depriving Pastor Brunson of his liberties. The Trump Administration and the Congress should continue to apply pressure, including using targeted sanctions against officials connected to this case, until Pastor Brunson is released."

Brunson was charged with terrorism (including "Christianization") and espionage, which carry a sentence of up to 35 years' imprisonment. According to the lengthy indictment, the pastor is linked to the movement of Fethullah Gülen -- an Islamic cleric who has lived in self-exile in the United States for three decades – and whom the Turkish government accuses of plotting the failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016.

The American Center for Law and Justice, which has been advocating Brunson's release, began circulating a petition a few months ago that states, in part:

"The 62-page indictment, wholly lacking merit, provides no evidence regarding criminal action by Pastor Andrew, which comes as no surprise... Incredibly, the indictment now admits that Turkey considers 'Christianization' to be an act of terrorism... Now, more than ever, we need to remind Turkey that the eyes of the world are watching this case closely and the world is demanding Pastor Andrew's release."

Erdogan is apparently using Brunson's detention as a bargaining chip to seek the extradition of his ally-turned-foe, Gülen, in exchange for the pastor's freedom.

Brunson, who for more than 20 years served the Izmir Diriliş (Resurrection) Church, a small evangelical Presbyterian congregation, is now demonized by the pro-government Turkish media as a "terrorist supporter" and a "spy" hostile to Turkey.

The practice of targeting and arresting peaceful individuals or dissident citizens for political reasons is nothing new in Erdogan's Turkey; since the failed coup, it has increased. Take the case of Eren Erdem, for example, an author, journalist and former MP of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and now in jail on doubtful charges of "aiding terrorists." Many say that his real "crime" was to expose how members and supporters of Islamic State (ISIS) have been operating freely in Turkey – a charge that raises the issue of how actual jihadist terrorists are treated by Ankara.

In a parliamentary speech in 2016, Erdem gave examples of ISIS members who were released after being arrested:

"Yunus Durmaz [an ISIS official] said to the police that they [his cell along with another sleeper cell] carried out the Suruc massacre in Antep but he was released.... Yunus Emre Alagoz [Ankara suicide bomber] was arrested in 2011 and then released. All the people in the Adiyaman ISIS cell were arrested and then released. These men have killed around 300 to 400 of our people.

"This man [showing the photo of ISIS official, Halis Bayancuk] is mentioned in three investigations. He is accused of sending militants from Turkey to al Qaeda in Afghanistan. In another investigation he is confirmed to have sent militants from Turkey to the ISIS headquarters in Raqqa in Syria. Weapons, ammunition and a car filled with explosives were found during a police raid on his house. And this person is still free. But journalists, academics and students are put behind bars the moment they make a statement... Is there anyone here who could name this type of a regime?"

In November 2015, Erdem submitted a parliamentary question to Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak about "foreign press reports" according to which documents were found in the computer of an ISIS official in charge of oil smuggling, indicating that Turkey "transfers 40 million dollars every month to ISIS."

"How much money does Turkey transfer to ISIS in oil smuggling?" Erdem asked. "Has our government ever attempted to stop money transferring to ISIS?"

In August 2016, the minister issued a strong denial. "The allegations that Turkey is buying oil from is a dirty propaganda war."

In December, 2015, Erdem submitted another parliamentary question to then-Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The text read, in part:

"The press covered that the South Korean police and intelligence service (NIS) opened investigation two weeks ago against the South Korean firm DaeKwang, which produces pepper spray for Turkey, for supplying explosive materials for ISIS and that its Turkish partner companies, Meydan and Mercan, are also mentioned in the investigation. It is alleged that DaeKwang delivered DK-3M hand grenades to the Mercan and Meydan companies to be transferred to ISIS."

Among the questions Erdem asked was whether Turkey had "opened an investigation into the Mercan and Meydan companies, and if it was true that [they] operated as intermediaries in the transfer of ammunition to ISIS." The government has yet to provide a response.

The government has also not responded to any of the many additional questions Erdem continued to submit – on issues such as the activities of an ISIS-affiliated association in Istanbul; the 2016 ISIS bombing attacks and sleeper cells in Gaziantep; the government's imposing publication bans about terrorist attacks across the country; and allegations concerning the Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters selling Turkish armored vehicles to ISIS.

At the same time, an American pastor who has lived and worked in Turkey for 23 years without a mishap, and a former MP who has dedicated his career to exposing ISIS activities, are behind bars on totally false charges of "terrorism." Meanwhile, there are ISIS sleeper cell houses seventy cities across Turkey, according to a 2015 "confidential" note by a Turkish chief of police.

Turkey became a NATO member in 1952. "NATO enlargement has furthered the U.S. goal of a Europe whole, free, and at peace," according to the U.S. Department of State. However, Turkey's actions appear to make the region a more unstable, un-free and violent place.

Turkey's arbitrary arrests of Brunson, Erdem and many other innocent individuals expose Erdogan's regime as a brutal dictatorship that invades its neighbors, does not tolerate diversity, and targets Christians and peaceful dissidents who oppose jihad – actions that run counter to the US State Department's minimum requirements for membership in NATO.

Uzay Bulut, a journalist from Turkey, is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute. She is currently based in Washington D.C.

© 2024 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Related Topics: Turkey

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Comment on this item

17 Reader Comments

Samir • Aug 1, 2018 at 22:59

The only country and administration to be blamed in all this is: the U.S administration
U.S for decades is defending and funding Turkey
When Turkey invaded Cyprus, when Turkey invaded Irak and now Syria, it is with U.S consent
And of course U.S is still refusing to accept the Armenian Genocide as a historical and factual event
This is only a superficial political play

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Menahem Lester • Jul 26, 2018 at 04:57

"...'Christianization' to be an act of terrorism" – The American Center for Law and Justice"
Of course it does! Erdogan is taking Turkey fully Islamic; under Islam, in theory Christianity & Judaism are tolerated, in practice, that is not so. (Go & count the churches & synagogues in Saudia & Iran [there's one syn. in Iran for propaganda purposes]. And where there's any hint that the church may be proselyting, proselytes are due the death penalty & the church is bound to be destroyed.
Yes - this is one reason why Turkey is not eligible for NATO & should be thrown out. The US has been reluctant to do just that since a) Turkey occupies a strategic geo-political position and b) it provides a large army in contrast with nearly all Europeans.
However, I would doubt very much, Turkey's reliability as an ally in any conflict

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jeb • Jul 22, 2018 at 11:48

Question: how do the Turkish shariah courts define terrorism? Could it include inciting someone to convert out of Islam? Did some Muslim simply decide that the Pastor wasn't humble enough to Islam ? Would Turkey admit they advocate the murder or executions of converts? Is terrorist a charge that is intended to smoke screen the illegitimacy and crimes against humanity of shariah law? Is this an attempt to force the Pastor to convert?

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Adrianne Smyth • Jul 22, 2018 at 05:50

This litany of horror from Turkey merely serves to demonstrate the stupidity of Western politicians who appear unable or unwilling to face the reality of a hard line Islamist influencing all the events which are currently afflicting Europe.

And to think the foolish David Cameron, when PM, said it made him "angry" that the EU would not admit Turkey!!!

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David Fieldman • Jul 22, 2018 at 03:01

Why is Trump silent on this? Why are American churches and church leaders silent on this travesty of justice?

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Constantine • Jul 21, 2018 at 16:31

The West is still sleeping. Erdogan's Turkey is winning time. The same thing have they done grabbing two Greek soldiers as hostages in order to exchange them with something Turkey desires. I can understand Turkey is a valuable military country of NATO (and honestly this is the only reason they are still in the western world's alliance); culturally and nationally haven't they got nothing common with the western world, however, we must be cautious, especially at these times they 'flirt' with Russia and they threat everybody around their territory, even allies in NATO.

Once they get the money for not letting the refuges go, they will let them go (too many arrive to Greece everyday). Once they get the war planes from the US, they will try to get the missile system from Russia. People ought to read and learn more about their negotiations and the way they behave. NATO doesn't expel them because they are afraid of losing them to Russia, although they already ally with Russia and Iran. Of course Russia won't be stupid enough to ally with am expelled and very aggressive country. Then why does NATO hesitate? Will we still be blackmailed?

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Margo de Boton • Jul 21, 2018 at 15:51

There is no separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers in Erdogan's Islamist Turkey as they are exercised in a democratic country. All of these functions are morphed into one and the Supreme Judge is also the Supreme Jailer and the President. So I am surprised to read in this article "justice- miscarriage of justice".... What justice in a country ruled by an oppressive Islamic dictatorship. The Supreme Judge will decide when Pastor Andrew will be released, apparently not before Mr. Gulen's extradition to Turkey.

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Bisley • Jul 21, 2018 at 12:24

This is simply Erdogan's Turkey. He is the power -- this is the sort of law he wants, and the way it will be. It isn't wise for anyone to be in Turkey unless they are Turkish, Muslim, and strong supporters of Erdogan, any others may be subject to the same kind of treatment as Brunson. It isn't likely he'll be released without sufficient bribery (or threats) from the US government, and if Erdogan profits substantially from it, he can be expected to arrest more foreigners to publicly humiliate their governments and make money from it.

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G. Donovan • Jul 21, 2018 at 10:27

When I read about what's happening in Turkey I see that this is not a country that deserves membership in NATO. It is my opinion that all people in countries that believe in honouring human life should, from this time on, decide never to travel to Turkey, boycott whatever you can that is from Turkey and let her sit in her own nasty stew. Why spend your time and money on any country that doesn't show value for human life, goodness and decency?

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Jeff Page • Jul 21, 2018 at 09:09

This is the problem we are facing in Europe. Christianization is a crime, it is not allowed, but Islam and Islamization is welcomed by our cretinous politicians. Instead of criticising Erdogan the Europeans shower him with tax payers money in the hope that he puts a stop to the invasion of Europe. He took the money, then laughed and carried on turning a blind eye to ISIS and to those who joined them. Those that led a revolt against his dictatorship were quickly rounded up and imprisoned. Some will never be seen or heard of again! Erdogan has funded the building of many Mosques across Europe in the quest to one day dominate the skyline with minarets and the unholy sounds of an Imam calling Muslims to pray.

Our politicians see this and think there is nothing to fear from what has been happening in every corner of Europe. The violent attacks by terrorists, by Muslims robbing and raping European citizens, and spreading their hatred of Jews. Demands to governments to prevent criticism of Islam, which they have done willingly and unwittingly, which has resulted in European citizens being imprisoned for expressing their opposition to Islam and what the Muslim cultural practices have brought to Europe. Inter-marriage, bigamy, under-age marriage, grooming gangs etc, etc. All of which the governments have failed because of fear to put an end to!

We are now slowly lurching towards the day when ordinary people will need to fight on the streets to put an end to this chaotic situation brought upon us by the Political Classes. Why do they always consider themselves to be doing the right thing? They can see the evidence of their silly decisions daily, yet they still refuse to acknowledge they were and still are wrong to have trusted Muslims.

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Menahem Lester

Jeff Page • Jul 26, 2018 at 05:05

Good stuff. There must be something wrong - sick - with European politicians and police, judiciary etc.; like some Martian has zapped them with some invisible ray which has turned them into morons.

Take for example, the Paris agreement on the environment. How was it that apparently sane men agreed & signed up to bankrupt their countries?

Fortunately, Trump didn't catch this disease and maybe there's a few others in Europe who are recovering from it - a bit like the two Russians in Salisbury. So there is a cure - but it may be long and incur much pain.

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Arnie • Jul 21, 2018 at 09:00

The Pastor will be held on trumped up charges until the US does an exchange. The Pastor for Gulen.

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bob karpodinis • Jul 21, 2018 at 08:04

Turkey has been an enemy of the West for her whole existence. Greece has been telling the world about the daily harassment of her air force, overflying her territory, pogroms carried out against Greeks in Istanbul, the closing of the Halki school, daily threats against the Greek nation, harassment of the Ecumenical patriarch and of course the illegal occupation of 30% of the island of Cyprus. Also, the latest provocation, of using hostages to exchange for Turks who requested asylum fleeing Erdogan's revenge is very similar to what happened to Pastor Bronson.

After the coup of 2016, 8 Turkish soldiers fled to Greece and requested asylum. Greece granted it to them, as prescribed in the EU regulation. After numerous demands and threats to have them extradited, which the Greek governments refused, Turkey arrested 2 Greek soldiers, that strayed in her territory by a few meters, because the ground was snow covered and is holding them without charges or trial.

This is how the Ottoman empire conducted herself. By taking innocent people as hostages, or punishing Christian subjects that were peaceful, for any revolt against her harsh rule elsewhere in the empire. The Armenian and Greek genocide of 1915-22 was perpetrated for that same reason. Turkey does not belong anywhere near any civilized nation.

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Hamish MacDonald • Jul 21, 2018 at 06:38

Gross injustice.
The tactics of Islam are the same everywhere.
Destroy the law of the prevailing culture, destroy those who support the law, and establish Sharia instead, creeping in slowly.

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Albert Reingewirtz • Jul 21, 2018 at 05:39

Turkey is still a memeber of NATO! This makes NATO a partner to criminal Islamic terror Turkey.

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Chuck

Albert Reingewirtz • Jul 21, 2018 at 08:26

Agree, it is long past time for Turkey to get out of NATO thanks to Erdogan appearing on the scene. Russia is probably hoping for that, too, so what is the "right" answer?

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Constantine

Chuck • Jul 22, 2018 at 03:30

NATO is afraid to expell Turkey in order to not enter to an alliance with Russia. But do you think Russia will be benefited if they ally with Turkey? They 'flirt' now and also negotiate weapons for money and also to create confussion.

Russia won't be silly to support militarily Turkey if they get off NATO and start threatening countries like Cyprus, Greece, Israel or Balkans.

Turkey knows how much the west and the east needs them. Haven't you noticed that if a person is highly desired by two sides, he constantly raises his demands knowing that one of the two will give them to him. But should they watch out because they might be left alone!

For me, Turkey has the same possibility of getting stronger or being split in 3-4 parts. I wish the second, of course, instead of being a strong and aggressive turkey who threats all countries around in order to grab parts of their lands, like they did in northern Cyprus in the 1970s and like they do in Syria and Iraq and likely to do over the Aegean sea in Greece.

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