Andrew Brunson

Andrew Brunson's arrest in Turkey raised tension between the two longtime allies. Now, the pastor has returned — and President Trump greeted him Saturday at the White House.

Andrew Brunson was one of thousands arrested in Turkey after a failed coup attempt in 2016. His detention raised tensions with the U.S. But now, a court in western Turkey has ordered his release.

Andrew Brunson was swept up in the arrests that followed the failed 2016 coup in Turkey. Now, he's become a focus of tensions between NATO allies — tensions that substantially escalated Wednesday.

In a move that is winning praise from religious conservatives, the Trump administration threatened sanctions if Turkey does not release an American evangelical pastor.

Andrew Brunson faces up to 35 years in prison on charges of aiding groups that Turkey blames for a failed coup in 2016. He is among thousands accused of having links to cleric Fethullah Gulen.

"You have a pastor too," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, adding, "You give us that one and we'll work with our judiciary and give back yours."