50 members of the European Parliament signed a May 4 letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan requesting the EPC Teaching Elder’s release.

The letter begins, “We express our deep concern about the wrongful imprisonment of Pastor Andrew Brunson” and concludes, “Pastor Andrew Brunson has been living peacefully in Turkey for 23 years. We believe he is an innocent political prisoner; therefore, we urge you again to release him without delay.”

The signatories also reminded Erdoğan of the European Parliament’s February 7 resolution, in which Turkey was urged to respect its own European and international commitments on the prohibition of arbitrary detention by releasing Brunson.

“Andrew’s imprisonment continues to draw international attention,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “All of us in the EPC are grateful for the support of so many people and governments around the world who believe so strongly that Andrew should be reunited with his family.”

The signatories included Lars Adaktusson and Peter van Dalen, the vice-chair and co-chair, respectively, of the European Intergroup on Freedom of Religion.

Click here to read the entire letter, including the names of all signatories and the countries they represent.