ICC Note: Pastor Andrew Brunson was detained in Turkey on October 2016. His hearing is scheduled for May 7^th and he is being accused of espionage and terrorism.

4/17/2018 Turkey (Egypt Independent) – An American pastor Monday went on trial in Turkey on terror-related charges after spending the last one-and-a-half years behind bars, in a case that has increased friction between Ankara and Washington.

Andrew Brunson, who ran a protestant church in the western city of Izmir, was detained by Turkish authorities in October 2016 and then remanded in custody. If convicted, he risks up to 35 years in jail.

Brunson, wearing a white shirt and a black suit, was present in court in the town of Aliaga north of Izmir for the hearing, an AFP correspondent said.

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