A Christian pastor has been imprisoned and charged in Turkey with membership of an "armed terrorist organisation".

Rev Andrew Brunson, from the United States, has been sent to prison in Izmir, according to World Watch Monitor.

He and his wife Norine were both detained in October but although she was released, he remained behind bars in a detention centre and has now been sent to a formal prison.

Turkey prosecutors claim that he is a national security risk with links to the movement responsible for the unsuccessful military coup attempt in July.

A post on the Facebook page set up to support the couple reads: "We need your prayers! Andrew was moved in the night on Thursday night to the Counter Terrorism Dept., then taken to court in the morning and falsely charged with 'membership in an armed terrorist organization', with no evidence provided. The judge sent him to prison to await further court proceedings. I don't know when I will be able to see him as this prison is very strict. Needless to say, this is a blow.

"God can still get him back for Christmas, even on the 12th, but right now he needs your prayers more than ever."

Until their arrest, Andrew and Norine Brunson led the Izmir Resurrection Church in Ankara, capital of Turkey, which has up to 40 regular members. They have lived in Turkey for 23 years.

Thousands of judges, prosecutors, military personnel, journalists and educators have been imprisoned on "terrorism" since the coup attempt, World Watch Monitor reports. 

The Brunsons have three children who are students in the US.