Turkey slams banker’s trial, says US justice is world threat
Atilla was convicted Wednesday of five counts, including bank fraud
Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed the conviction in New York of a Turkish banker accused of helping Iran evade sanctions, saying the US justice system poses a danger for the world.
Speaking before departing for a visit to Paris, Erdogan on Friday again branded the trial against Halkbank deputy general manager Mehmet Hakan Atilla as a US conspiracy against his government.
Atilla was convicted Wednesday of five counts, including bank fraud. His trial included testimony suggesting high-level corruption in Turkey.
The Turkish leader also accused the US of “disrespecting” the Turkish judiciary for failing to extradite US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for a failed coup in 2016. Gulen denies involvement. Erdogan said legal agreements were losing their validity due to the US stance.
