08/28/2020 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – In July a mob boss claimed that he was asked by the Turkish government to murder American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was imprisoned for two years in Turkey because of his faith practice. Recent news reports that the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened an investigation.

The individual making this claim, Serkan Kurtuluş, was arrested in Argentina this past June. He is seeking asylum, as he is wanted in Turkey for supplying illegal firearms into Syria and killing a Russian pilot in 2015. Turkey is seeking his extradition from Argentina, and Kurtuluş’ claim comes a month after his arrest. The truth of his claim remain unverified, but it did reportedly prompt a request from the FBI to question Kurtuluş. Argentina has not yet responded to this request.

According to Kurtuluş, he was approached by Izmir AKP members who asked him to plan Brunson’s assassination. He claims that they wanted to cast the blame for the assassination on the Gulenists so that the US would recognize the Gulen movement as a terrorist organization.

Brunson served as a pastor in Izmir who was arrested on the false charges of supporting the Gulen movement. Turkey considers Gulenists as terrorists, and blame them for the 2016 coup attempt. Many regard Brunson’s imprisonment as an attempt by Turkey to force the US to extradite Gulen. His imprisonment shows how Christians in Turkey are often used for political maneuvering by the authorities, who have no regard for religious freedom. Whether or not Kurtuluş’ claim is true, it shows how the Turkish authorities’ approach towards Christians can be integrated into the social mindset.

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