IZMIR, Turkey (Reuters) – A U.S. pastor denied allegations of links to a group accused of orchestrating a failed military coup in Turkey on Monday as he went on trial in a case that has fueled strains in relations between Ankara and Washington.
"I do not accept the charges mentioned in the indictment. I was never involved in any illegal activities,” Andrew Brunson, speaking in Turkish, told the court in the western Turkish province of Izmir.