U.S. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, praised Turkey’s release of Pastor Andrew Brunson.  Turkish officials detained Pastor Brunson two years ago on unsubstantiated charges of espionage.

“I am thankful that Pastor Brunson can finally return home to his family,” said Lankford. “This has been a long and difficult journey for the Brunson family. The entire country is grateful they will finally be able to start the next season of their life reunited with their children and extended family on American soil.

“Turkey is a long-standing U.S, ally. We have worked to maintain our partnership over the last two years while pushing for Pastor Brunson’s release. It is difficult to understand why the process of release took two years.”

Lankford said that while Turkey and the United States have many areas of agreement and some areas of disagreement, the two nations should not move forward on any issue until every American who is wrongfully detained is released.

“(This) step to return Pastor Brunson home will help mend the relationship between our two countries,” Lankford said.

Additionally, Lankford joined his colleagues, Senators Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina; Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire; and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, in a joint statement on Brunson’s release:

 “We are pleased that Pastor Andrew Brunson will finally be released from Turkish custody and will return to the United States as a free man. Pastor Brunson will be reunited with his loving family, whose relentless advocacy for his release helped inspire many others and us to the cause. The President, Vice President, State Department, and Congress have been truly committed to getting Pastor Brunson home. We encourage Turkish authorities to also release the others we have been advocating for who are wrongfully detained.”

October 6 marked the two-year anniversary of Brunson’s imprisonment by the Turkish government.