Is Turkey Turning Into a Mafia State?
The Case of Reza Zarrab and the Rise in Organized Crime
By Ryan Gingeras
Earlier this week, the trial for the Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab began in lower Manhattan. Zarrab, who has close ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, allegedly ran an elaborate gold-for-oil scheme to circumvent international sanctions against Iran, possibly with the assistance of relatives and allies of Turkish government ministers. (U.S. officials had arrested Zarrab in March 2016 while he was vacationing in Miami, Florida.) Soon after the proceedings began, however, the charges were dropped, and on Wednesday, Zarrab took the witness stand instead, making damning claims that he had bribed an economy minister as part of his sanctions-skirting racket. The whole affair, which could implicate Erdogan, has put the Turkish leader on edge, and he has lashed out against the United States, criticizing it for falling prey to an elaborate conspiracy to bring down the Turkish regime. The real culprit driving the probe, he has insisted, is Fethullah Gulen, the spiritual leader of the prominent Hizmet (or “Gulenist”) movement who lives in exile in Pennsylvania and who Erdogan claims orchestrated the July 2016 coup against him.
More:Is Turkey Turning Into a Mafia State? | Foreign Affairs
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Zarrab fingers Erdogan in NY trial bombshell
Zarrab fingers Erdogan in NY trial bombshell
Amberin Zaman November 30, 2017
Article Summary
Iranian-Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, testifying before a New York jury, has implicated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his former economy minister in a massive sanctions-busting scheme as Turkey does its frantic best to spin the story at home.
More:Zarrab fingers Erdogan in NY trial bombshell
Amberin Zaman November 30, 2017
Article Summary
Iranian-Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, testifying before a New York jury, has implicated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his former economy minister in a massive sanctions-busting scheme as Turkey does its frantic best to spin the story at home.
More:Zarrab fingers Erdogan in NY trial bombshell
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
US Trial Threatens Funding for Turkey's Dollar-dependent Banks
US Trial Threatens Funding for Turkey's Dollar-dependent Banks
November 29, 2017 4:21 PM
LONDON/ISTANBUL —
Turkey's deteriorating finances are hurting the country's banks whose reliance on dollar funding makes them vulnerable to the worst-case scenario: a sudden halt or reversal of foreign investment flows.
More:US Trial Threatens Funding for Turkey's Dollar-dependent Banks
November 29, 2017 4:21 PM
LONDON/ISTANBUL —
Turkey's deteriorating finances are hurting the country's banks whose reliance on dollar funding makes them vulnerable to the worst-case scenario: a sudden halt or reversal of foreign investment flows.
More:US Trial Threatens Funding for Turkey's Dollar-dependent Banks
Turkish-Iranian Businessman Tells U.S. Court He Bribed Turkish Minister
Turkish-Iranian Businessman Tells U.S. Court He Bribed Turkish Minister
November 29, 2017 20:32 GMT
A wealthy Turkish-Iranian businessman has testified that he bribed Turkey’s economy minister millions of dollars in 2012 to facilitate a deal to help Iran evade U.S. financial sanctions.
More:Turkish-Iranian Businessman Tells U.S. Court He Bribed Turkish Minister
November 29, 2017 20:32 GMT
A wealthy Turkish-Iranian businessman has testified that he bribed Turkey’s economy minister millions of dollars in 2012 to facilitate a deal to help Iran evade U.S. financial sanctions.
More:Turkish-Iranian Businessman Tells U.S. Court He Bribed Turkish Minister
The Unyielding Paranoia of Recep Tayyip Erdogan - The Atlantic
The Unyielding Paranoia of Recep Tayyip Erdogan
A major sanctions case could further imperil an already fraught relationship between Washington and Ankara, and reveal the Turkish president’s illicit dealings.
More:The Unyielding Paranoia of Recep Tayyip Erdogan - The Atlantic
A major sanctions case could further imperil an already fraught relationship between Washington and Ankara, and reveal the Turkish president’s illicit dealings.
More:The Unyielding Paranoia of Recep Tayyip Erdogan - The Atlantic
Turkish-U.S. relations: Erdogan's Machiavellian motives - Qantara.de
Turkish-U.S. relations
Erdogan's Machiavellian motives
The Turkish president and his AKP party are adept at switching sides. Now they're embracing Putin and damning the United States. Why? Because an up-coming trial in America could potentially compromise Erdogan. By Bulent Mumay
More:Turkish-U.S. relations: Erdogan's Machiavellian motives - Qantara.de
Erdogan's Machiavellian motives
The Turkish president and his AKP party are adept at switching sides. Now they're embracing Putin and damning the United States. Why? Because an up-coming trial in America could potentially compromise Erdogan. By Bulent Mumay
More:Turkish-U.S. relations: Erdogan's Machiavellian motives - Qantara.de
Justice TV, Turkish style
Justice TV, Turkish style
If random strangers at the bus stop or in the subway ask you about a certain court case ongoing in New York, or the fall in the value of the Turkish Lira, then you know something is wrong.
More:Justice TV, Turkish style
If random strangers at the bus stop or in the subway ask you about a certain court case ongoing in New York, or the fall in the value of the Turkish Lira, then you know something is wrong.
More:Justice TV, Turkish style
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Turkish Opposition Claims Erdogan's Family Hid Money Offshore
Turkish Opposition Claims Erdogan's Family Hid Money Offshore
November 28, 2017 2:24 PM
Dorian Jones
ISTANBUL —
The leader of Turkey's main opposition has produced what he claims is evidence of millions of dollars held in offshore bank accounts linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
More:Turkish Opposition Claims Erdogan's Family Hid Money Offshore
November 28, 2017 2:24 PM
Dorian Jones
ISTANBUL —
The leader of Turkey's main opposition has produced what he claims is evidence of millions of dollars held in offshore bank accounts linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
More:Turkish Opposition Claims Erdogan's Family Hid Money Offshore
Fake gold and fake food: US court hears how a Turkish banker helped Iran avoid sanctions - The National
Fake gold and fake food: US court hears how a Turkish banker helped Iran avoid sanctions
The case, being heard in New York’s federal court, has already raised tensions between the US and Turkey, which accuses Washington of interfering in Turkish politics.
More:Fake gold and fake food: US court hears how a Turkish banker helped Iran avoid sanctions - The National
The case, being heard in New York’s federal court, has already raised tensions between the US and Turkey, which accuses Washington of interfering in Turkish politics.
More:Fake gold and fake food: US court hears how a Turkish banker helped Iran avoid sanctions - The National
Turkish gold trader is cooperating witness, Feds reveal | Newsday
Turkish gold trader is cooperating witness, Feds reveal
The status of Reza Zarrab had been a mystery for weeks since a Bureau of Prisons website said he was no longer in custody.
More:Turkish gold trader is cooperating witness, Feds reveal | Newsday
The status of Reza Zarrab had been a mystery for weeks since a Bureau of Prisons website said he was no longer in custody.
More:Turkish gold trader is cooperating witness, Feds reveal | Newsday
Turkey’s Alevis on edge after homes vandalized
Turkey’s Alevis on edge after homes vandalized
Ayla Jean Yackley November 28, 2017
Article Summary
More than a dozen Alevi homes were recently marked with red paint, setting off alarm bells for Turkey's largest minority group, which has a long memory of sectarian violence.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/11/turkey-alevi-homes-vandalized.html#ixzz4zlXXGzqL
More:Turkey’s Alevis on edge after homes vandalized
Ayla Jean Yackley November 28, 2017
Article Summary
More than a dozen Alevi homes were recently marked with red paint, setting off alarm bells for Turkey's largest minority group, which has a long memory of sectarian violence.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/11/turkey-alevi-homes-vandalized.html#ixzz4zlXXGzqL
More:Turkey’s Alevis on edge after homes vandalized
Turkish court orders detention of two over U.S. court case: CNN Turk
Turkish court orders detention of two over U.S. court case: CNN Turk
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court has issued detention warrants for two people including a former opposition lawmaker for allegedly providing fake evidence and documents to a court case in the United States, private broadcaster CNN Turk said on Tuesday.
More:Turkish court orders detention of two over U.S. court case: CNN Turk
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A Turkish court has issued detention warrants for two people including a former opposition lawmaker for allegedly providing fake evidence and documents to a court case in the United States, private broadcaster CNN Turk said on Tuesday.
More:Turkish court orders detention of two over U.S. court case: CNN Turk
Reza Zarrab agrees to testify against Turkish banker Atilla in case of US sanctions on Iran
Reza Zarrab agrees to testify against Turkish banker Atilla in case of US sanctions on Iran
NEW YORK
Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab has agreed to testify against former Halkbank deputy general manager Hakan Atilla in a case about evading U.S. sanctions on Iran, Doğan News Agency reported on Nov. 28, citing a prosecutor in the case.
More:Reza Zarrab agrees to testify against Turkish banker Atilla in case of US sanctions on Iran
NEW YORK
Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab has agreed to testify against former Halkbank deputy general manager Hakan Atilla in a case about evading U.S. sanctions on Iran, Doğan News Agency reported on Nov. 28, citing a prosecutor in the case.
More:Reza Zarrab agrees to testify against Turkish banker Atilla in case of US sanctions on Iran
Gold Trader to Tell U.S. Jury Inside Story of Turkish Corruption - Bloomberg
Gold Trader to Tell U.S. Jury Inside Story of Turkish Corruption
By Christian Berthelsen
and Bob Van Voris
November 28, 2017, 2:59 PM GMT+1 Updated on November 28, 2017, 4:41 PM GMT+1
Zarrab is the ‘most important witness,’ defense lawyer says
Banker Atilla on trial in New York for aiding sanctions plot
Reza Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian gold trader at the center of an international corruption case that has strained relations between the U.S. and Turkey, is set to tell a New York jury the “inside story” of a plot to evade American sanctions on Iran that reached the highest levels of the Turkish government, a prosecutor said.
More:Gold Trader to Tell U.S. Jury Inside Story of Turkish Corruption - Bloomberg
Greece arrests nine suspected Turkish extremists
Greece arrests nine suspected Turkish extremists
Erdogan is next month to make the first visit to Greece by a Turkish head of state in 65 years
Nine Turkish nationals suspected of belonging to leftwing extremist organisations were arrested Tuesday during an anti-terrorist operation in Athens, police said.
More:Greece arrests nine suspected Turkish extremists
Erdogan is next month to make the first visit to Greece by a Turkish head of state in 65 years
Nine Turkish nationals suspected of belonging to leftwing extremist organisations were arrested Tuesday during an anti-terrorist operation in Athens, police said.
More:Greece arrests nine suspected Turkish extremists
Turkish warplanes shell Mount Asos north of Sulaimani
Turkish warplanes shell Mount Asos north of Sulaimani
SULAIAMANI – Turkish warplanes shelled the Mount Asos in the province of Sulaimani on Monday night (November 27), mayor and residents in the area said.
Mayor of Mawat district told NRT that four warplanes conducted airstrikes at 9 p.m. on Monday in the Mount Asos in the district.
More:Turkish warplanes shell Mount Asos north of Sulaimani
SULAIAMANI – Turkish warplanes shelled the Mount Asos in the province of Sulaimani on Monday night (November 27), mayor and residents in the area said.
Mayor of Mawat district told NRT that four warplanes conducted airstrikes at 9 p.m. on Monday in the Mount Asos in the district.
More:Turkish warplanes shell Mount Asos north of Sulaimani
Turkey's major parties seek political alignment for 2019 elections - Xinhua | English.news.cn
Turkey's major parties seek political alignment for 2019 elections
ANKARA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are seeking consensus to form electoral alliance to boost their chances in 2019 multiple elections.
More:Turkey's major parties seek political alignment for 2019 elections - Xinhua | English.news.cn
ANKARA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are seeking consensus to form electoral alliance to boost their chances in 2019 multiple elections.
More:Turkey's major parties seek political alignment for 2019 elections - Xinhua | English.news.cn
Turkish PM says EU confused since Brexit, needs to revisit Turkey's future place
Turkish PM says EU confused since Brexit, needs to revisit Turkey's future place
LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union is “entirely confused” since Britain voted to leave the bloc and it needs to revisit its vision for enlargement and Turkey’s place in that, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Monday.
More:Turkish PM says EU confused since Brexit, needs to revisit Turkey's future place
LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union is “entirely confused” since Britain voted to leave the bloc and it needs to revisit its vision for enlargement and Turkey’s place in that, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Monday.
More:Turkish PM says EU confused since Brexit, needs to revisit Turkey's future place
Turkey's creative schemes aim to discredit Zarrab case in US
Turkey's creative schemes aim to discredit Zarrab case in US
Pinar Tremblay November 27, 2017
Article Summary
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his team failed to convince the United States to agree to a “diplomatic solution” in the financial crime case involving Reza Zarrab and Turkey’s top bankers and former ministers. Now, Erdogan claims the case is a conspiracy against Turkey between the United States and the Gulen movement.
More:Turkey's creative schemes aim to discredit Zarrab case in US
Monday, November 27, 2017
Turkey says U.S. wants use gold trader case to impose sanctions on Ankara
Turkey says U.S. wants use gold trader case to impose sanctions on Ankara
Reuters Staff
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Monday that the United States wanted to use the trial in New York of a Turkish gold trader to impose sanctions on Ankara.
More:Turkey says U.S. wants use gold trader case to impose sanctions on Ankara
Reuters Staff
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Monday that the United States wanted to use the trial in New York of a Turkish gold trader to impose sanctions on Ankara.
More:Turkey says U.S. wants use gold trader case to impose sanctions on Ankara
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