Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement on Wednesday on Turkish courts rejecting appeals for the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson, an American imprisoned in Turkey:

“Over the past 18 months, it has become clear that President Erdogan has the ability to end this injustice, but he refuses to do so. President Erdogan has put Pastor Brunson and his family through 649 days of enormous suffering. Pastor Brunson must be released immediately, otherwise this cruel abuse of a U.S. citizen should have serious consequences for our country’s relationship with the Turkish government.”