Pastor Andrew Brunson has now been released from house arrest in Turkey and returned to the United States, but the lessons of his captivity should not be forgotten.
In the long saga of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s refusal to release Brunson, the pastor was held for months in a single cell along with 17 Muslim prisoners accused, as he was initially, of “Gülenism.” Then he was placed under house arrest. The sheer craziness of Turkey’s polity under Erdogan was on display as never before in the Brunson case. In the vast dragnet Erdogan ordered in Turkey after the attempted coup of mid-July 2016, his government detained more than 100,000 Turks, and arrested almost 50,000 of them, accused of being followers of Fethulleh Gülen. In October 2016, Brunson, a pastor of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church, who had lived in Turkey for 23 years, ministering quietly to a church of 25 congregants, was arrested for being a “terrorist” — the terrorists in question apparently being the Gülenists.
Among the absurdities offered into evidence by the prosecution, court documents claimed that a photo of maqluba, a popular Levantine rice dish, was found on Brunson’s phone, sent to him by his daughter. The court documents describe maqluba as a “Gülenist delicacy.” Brunson was in one charge accused of having attended a Gülenist event. In another, it was claimed that he spoke positively once about relations between Christians and the Gülenist movement. Brunson was charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization,” “gathering state secrets for espionage, attempting to overthrow the Turkish parliament and government, and to change the constitutional order.” But even that was not enough. He was accused not just of being a Gülenist — that iPhone picture of maqluba being a dead giveaway — but also accused of being a collaborator with armed Kurdish groups, of visiting the YPG (a Kurdish militia group that Erdogan describes as “terrorist”) territory in Syria, and of wanting to Christianize Kurdistan and have it become a Christian state.
And even that was not all. Pastor Brunson was also accused in the indictment of being a “high-level member of the Gülen movement” as well as an American spy, positioned to become CIA chief in Turkey had the 2016 coup attempt succeeded. It was alleged that Brunson fended off an assassination attempt thanks to his intelligence agency training, and there was speculation in the press that the CIA would assassinate Brunson in prison if it thought he would not be deported back to the U.S. For he knew too many secrets.
All of these charges were both idiotic and fantastical. Pastor Brunson was exactly what he seemed to be: a dedicated Christian, who had tended his tiny flock of 25 congregants for more than 20 years, and had never visited, much less plotted with, Kurds in Syria, had never attended a single Gülenist meeting, and had no plans either to take over and balkanize Turkey, nor to “Christianize Kurdistan.”
Another absurdity came in an article by one Mehmet Erdogan, a deputy from the ruling party, who accused Brunson of having served in the American military in Iraq, where he was, as a Marine, in charge of stealing gold bullion from the Iraqis worth hundreds of billions. The proof? A photograph of an American soldier, supposedly looking like Pastor Brunson, with the military name-tag of “Brownm” holding up what was described as a “gold bar.”
In truth, the soldier in question did not look anything like Andrew Brunson, except in his crew-cut. The name “Brown” may, to a Turk or Arab, seem similar to “Brunson” (BRN-BRN), but not to anyone else. And the “gold bar” being held up could not possibly have been of gold, because if it were, it would weigh 300 pounds. The “gold bar” in question was not the right size for conventional gold bars. It was, in fact, part of a cache found in a truck in Iraq in 2003 that had originally been estimated to be worth $500 million. According to a Reuters report from August 1, 2003, later testing of the more than 1,000 bars that were found revealed they were not gold, but mostly copper and zinc. Experts said they were melted-down shell casings. And the true content of the bars was made in a report to Congress about the reconstruction effort.
And one other thing. There was no record — the Turks knew this perfectly — of Pastor Brunson being in Iraq in 2003 or, indeed, at any other time. For 23 years, he had been living unprepossessingly in Turkey, and his real deed of derring-do had nothing to do with Gülenism, being a top C.I.A.agent, plotting to create a Christianized and independent Kurdistan, or stealing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold bars from Iraq. That real deed of derring-do was, rather, his steady determination to pursue his quiet vocation of spreading the Gospel as a pastor of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Izmir, ministering to 25 congregants. In today’s Turkey, that was an act of authentic bravery.
Buraq says
The economic blow delivered by Trump’s embargoes triggered by Erdogan lying to Trump about Brunson’s release in exchange for the Turkish national caught with explosives in Israel have done so-o-o-o much damage, Erdogan’s fledgling Caliphate will be still born. The Turkish economy is heading to the wall. Nothing can save it.
Erdogan is a clown! He’s about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike!
mortimer says
The Turks voted for economic, political and moral suicide. And they are getting what they voted for. It’s hard to understand what is going on to motivate Turks to drive over the cliff.
Mac-101 says
The USA is no better. 50% of us support the Democrats and the destruction of the country for the enrichment of our Socialist Leaders.
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Clinton/Feinstein/Piglosie/Reid/McConnell and thousands more have betrayed us to the Oil Ticks and Chi-Coms and even Russians to accumulate vast riches in this world just to earn eternal damnation in the next!
James Lincoln says
Mac-101,
You are correct but I’m hopeful that the US electorate is finally waking up to the horrors of the far left – which now includes just about all of the Democrats.
I am also hopeful regarding the midterms, we’ll see…
StellaSaidSo says
Ditto.
Mac-101 says
I’m more worried about election fraud than I am of the voter base. Minorities are finally wakin up. Even fair minded women have been pushed over the edge with the Kavanuagh guilty until proven innocent, accusations and constant threats of violence by the very same people who campaign against bullies. !
gravenimage says
There are definitely problems here, but the idea that the United States is no better than Turkey is quite mistaken.
Sam says
Islam is the best motivation for a Muslim.
6woods says
Islam is what’s going on. Allah will provide.
Joss says
Could say much the same, Mortimer, about most of western Europe! The authorities’re dead against any anti-islam action…slitting their own throats!
Anne Smith says
Those who voted for Erdogan are the uneducated and poor who of course are the most numerous in Turkey and will continue to be so. Rather like the history of Roman Catholic countries, those who are the staunchest adherents to the religion are those from the overbreeding, poor and agrarian economy.
Erdogan’s support comes from this continually increasing faction of the population The more educated, secular and advanced citizens are being marginalised and will find themselves in an increasingly hostile climate.
The reforms put in place by Kemal Attaturk which have resulted in Turkey being one of the most successful Islamic countries of recent years are now being eroded by Erdogan as it slips back into the 7th century, facilitated by the doctrine of Islam.
Thank goodness for Trump – wish we had one in UK.
gravenimage says
Actually, a lot of Jihadists are actually quite well off.
jewdog says
Wasn’t he also a spy for Israel? Maybe no bagels were located when his premises were searched.
gravenimage says
jewdog, these loons *did* actually claim an Israeli connection. A secret witness claims to have overheard a supposed “Israeli missionary” say that Brunson attended an alleged March 2013 event at an Istanbul convention center where the attendees supposedly plotted the Gezi Park protests.
gravenimage says
Hugh Fitzgerald: Pastor Brunson’s Deed of Derring-Do
…………………
Mr.. Fitzgerald, thanks for showing just how insane and baseless these charges against Pastor Brunson were.
In addition, the judge dismissed all of Brunson’s defense witnesses without listening to any of their testimony.
Elisha says
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:6-9
Sam says
We have to give credit to Trump please!
gravenimage says
+1
eduardo odraude says
Great piece by Hugh Fitzgerald. Especially like the way it ended.
gravenimage says
+1
Ibrahim itace muhammed says
Fitzgerald, you know at the bottom of your heart that treacherous evil United States used brunston as spy in its plot to overthrow the Turkish Government, which is too contemptuous to all Turks.wicked mithraist christian west have been using mithraist christian evangelists working as aid workers as spies to topple Govts. wicked scums of evils!!
gravenimage says
Ibrahim itace muhammed wrote:
Fitzgerald, you know at the bottom of your heart that treacherous evil United States used brunston as spy in its plot to overthrow the Turkish Government, which is too contemptuous to all Turks.wicked mithraist christian west have been using mithraist christian evangelists working as aid workers as spies to topple Govts. wicked scums of evils!!
…………………….
Right–because all peaceful aid workers are spies bent on ousting Muslim dictators. Try again…
Really, the problem is that Ibrahim itace muhammed is incapable to conceiving of someone’s actually working to help other people. After all, what pious Muslim would do any such thing?
Mr nafplion says
One note. “Alleged coup attempt”, is the more accurate description. Perfect way for Erdogan to get rid of so many “enemies ” at one time and put his people in. God Bless President Trump in securing the freedom for Pastor Brunson!
gravenimage says
Very true.
Kepha says
Brunson’s release is an answer to prayer. I continue to pray for other believers in Turkey, especially locals. This may be a time of trial, but the Holy Spirit is more powerful than the lie that is Islam.
gravenimage says
+1