ISTANBUL, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish court on Wednesday decided to keep U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson in jail.

The third hearing of the case of Brunson, who was accused by Turkish authorities of espionage and links to a network led by the U.S.-based outlawed cleric Fethullah Gulen and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, resumed in Turkey's western province of Izmir, the private IHA news agency reported.

The court also decided to hold the next hearing for the testimonies of witnesses on Oct. 12.

The 50-year-old pastor, who was detained two years ago, faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty.

Ankara blames Gulen and his network of being behind the failed coup in 2016 against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government.

The U.S. has, more than once, urged Ankara to release Brunson who has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years, media reports said.