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ANKARA (Reuters) - U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, at the centre of a row between Ankara and Washington, arrived at the airport in Turkey’s western Izmir province on Friday, a Reuters photographer at the scene said, hours after a court ruled he could go free.

Brunson was released after the court sentenced him to three years and 1-1/2 months in prison on terrorism charges, but said he would not serve any further jail time. Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years, was jailed two years ago and has been under house arrest since July.

Broadcaster NTV said Brunson would get on a private jet at Izmir’s Adnan Menderes airport and fly to the United States.