American pastor Andrew Brunson is on a plane home to the United States after a Turkish court ruled he should be released, according to lawyer representing his family.
"We're grateful to the president, members of Congress and diplomatic leaders who continued to put pressure on Turkey to secure the freedom of Pastor Brunson," said lawyer Jay Sekulow in a statement. "The fact that he is now on a plane to the United States can only be viewed as a significant victory for Pastor Brunson and his family."
A Turkish court ruled Friday to release Brunson from house arrest, sentencing him to three years in jail but saying he will not spend any more time in custody because of time already served.
The court's decision to lift judicial controls meant that evangelical pastor Brunson, at the heart of a diplomatic spat between the two countries, could leave Turkey and return to the United States.
Reuters
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