Andrew Brunson: Trump meets US pastor freed by Turkey

A US pastor has met President Donald Trump at the White House after more than two years’ detention in Turkey.

Andrew Brunson appeared in the Oval Office with President Trump following a case that has strained relations between the two countries.

Mr Brunson thanked the president and his administration for securing his release – and prayed for him.

President Trump thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for helping with his release.

He said the US had been working “long and hard” to secure Mr Brunson’s release, and told Mr Brunson he had “galvanised this country” with his strength and faith.

Mr Brunson was arrested over alleged links to political groups, including the banned Gulenist movement, after a failed coup attempt in 2016.

On Friday, a Turkish court sentenced Mr Brunson to three years in jail – but freed him because of the time he had already spent in detention.

Additional espionage charges against him were also dropped by the court.