Turkey locked in corruption case of gold trader Zarrab held in New York

REZA ZARRAB a confessor in a corruption case held in New York and involving some Turkish banks and former ministers is testifying before the jury. Zarrab an Iranian-born Turkish gold trader who was a defendant in the case previously became a witness after he agreed with the prosecutor’s office, to cooperate with the USA justice. Former Halkbank Deputy Chief Executive Officer for International Banking Mehmet Hakan Atilla is accused in the lawsuit of violating US sanctions on Iran.

Within this context, Zarrab continued to describe on the third day of the trial how he violated the law and USA sanctions on Iran with the support of and in cooperation with some people in Turkey. Zarrab will continue to testify today as well.

ZARRAB, who also testified in the case yesterday, mentioned that he had learned from former economy minister some instructions were given to banks involved by higher officials to provide assistance regarding the transactions.

ZARRAB also mentioned that the top director of the bank in question asked for money like the minister and added “We gave him €2 million as he would be of great help to us in the future”.

Süleyman Aslan also wants money like Çağlayan Sarraf said, “We will give Aslan 2 million euros in the future to help so much,” he said.  He went on to say “I was bribing the Minister, the person at the top so I did not need another. “

Judging on the course of the case so far, it seems that concerned bank in Turkey may have to face some serious accusations for having violated the US sanctions against Iran and cooperating to conduct fraud operations – as claimed by US justice. On the other hand the question of “how far and which authorities this prosecution and trial could reach in the end” is a very serious issue for everyone to be curious about.

To recap we have all held our breath and are waiting to see what comes next.