Franklin Graham, Saeed Abedini call for release of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey prison

Evangelical leader Rev. Franklin Graham and a former American hostage in Iran, Pastor Saeed Abedini, are campaigning for the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson, who remains behind bars in Turkey as the latter's appeal for freedom got denied.

Brunson was arrested back in October and was formally imprisoned on Dec. 9 after 63 days in detention on charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization." His appeal for release was denied by a local court on Dec. 29. Law group American Center for Law Justice (ACLJ) argues that the accusation against him is unfounded. In a statement, ACLJ said, "the charging documents do not present any evidence against him."

The pastor, who is a native of Black Mountain, North Carolina, has been residing in Turkey, preaching the Gospel for over 20 years. Back in October, Brunson and his wife, Norine, reported to the authorities, thinking that they were being summoned to discuss their resident visa renewal application. Instead, they were arrested. Norine was freed after 13 days, but Brunson remains behind bars as of report writing.

In a Facebook page, Graham shared that he assured Brunson's wife that he would help in raising awareness on the pastor's ordeal in Turkey. He called on his Facebook followers to join him in praying for Brunson's safety and release. Graham ended his post by quoting Hebrews 13:3 in saying, "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

Abedini, who was imprisoned in Iran for over three and a half years for his Christian faith, also called for the same on his Facebook page. He wrote: "Today I am free but there is another American Pastor called Andrew Brunson who is in prison in Turkey for two months now and I know how much heart broken is in Christmas and New Year being in prison. I experienced four of these years in prisons. We need to remember him and his family in our prayers."

According to ACLJ, Brunson has finally been granted some access to his lawyer and a family visitor, but the charge hurled against him is serious.