Turkish court rejects US pastor Brunson’s appeal for house arrest to be lifted – report

A Turkish court has rejected an appeal for US Christian pastor Andrew Brunson to be released from house arrest during his trial on terrorism charges, according to a state broadcaster TRT Haber report on Tuesday. Brunson, who has been living in Turkey for more than two decades, was accused of helping supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based cleric who Turkish authorities say masterminded the 2016 coup attempt. He was also charged with supporting outlawed PKK Kurdish militants and espionage. Brunson’s lawyer, Ismail Cem Halavurt, had not been notified of a court ruling, Reuters said.