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07:11 GMT
WASHINGTON, April 17 (KUNA) -- The "entire US government" is closely following the case of US pastor Andrew Brunson, who is on trial in Turkey on accusations of spying and aiding terrorist groups, the State Department said late Monday.
"We have seen no credible evidence that Mr. Brunson is guilty of a crime and are convinced that he is innocent," said a statement from department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. "We believe that Turkey is a state bound by the rule of law, and we have faith in the Turkish people's commitment to justice. We hope that the judicial system in Turkey will resolve his case in a timely, fair and transparent manner."
Brunson, 50, who was detained by Turkey 18 months ago, has spent the last 23 years living in Turkey, where he and his wife raised their daughter and two sons.
The American Center for Law and Justice said Brunson was running the Resurrection Church in the western Turkish city of Izmir and applying for permanent residency when he was detained in 2016. (end)
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