American pastor Andrew Brunson lands in the US

American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was imprisoned in Turkey on charges of terrorism for almost two years, landed at Joint Base Andrews, outside of Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

{mosads}Brunson is expected at the White House later on Saturday for a meeting with President Trump, who will greet him upon his return to the United States.

Turkish authorities released Brunson on Friday. Brunson was arrested with hundreds of others accused of aiding a 2016 coup attempt against Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

According to The Washington Post, officials and others involved said there were talks of releasing him on the condition of U.S. sanctions being lifted on Turkey. 

However, the status of those sanctions following the pastor’s release remains unclear, and the White House did not immediately respond to an inquiry.

Trump has said there was no “deal” that led to Brunson’s release. 

Pastor Andrew Brunson, released by Turkey, will be with me in the Oval Office at 2:30 P.M. (this afternoon). It will be wonderful to see and meet him. He is a great Christian who has been through such a tough experience. I would like to thank President @RT_Erdogan for his help!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2018