End of the First Jury Session in the Zarrab Case Without a Verdict

The first deliberation of the jury in the case of evading sanctions against Iran by Reza Zarrab and several other Turkish officials concluded without a verdict for Mehmet (Mohammad) Hakan Atilla. Following the end of the court sessions and the announcement of the jury's performance by Judge Richard Berman, the head of the court in Manhattan, the jury has been deliberating since December 20. The deliberation has taken many hours, and the Associated Press reports that one juror was sent home several times after falling asleep. It seems the jury's focus will be on the confessions of Reza Zarrab, the Iranian-Turkish businessman, who is the main defendant in the case and appeared in court as a witness due to his cooperation with the prosecution. The U.S. prosecution has accused Reza Zarrab, born in Iran, of helping the Iranian government and institutions move hundreds of millions of dollars in assets to evade sanctions between 2010 and 2015. According to the U.S. prosecution, he and Hakan Atilla laundered Iran's oil and gas revenues, which constitutes a violation of U.S. sanctions. Atilla, who was once a manager at Turkey's Halkbank, is among several other officials from that country accused of collaborating with Zarrab. However, apart from Zarrab and Atilla, no one else is currently detained in the U.S. The former Halkbank manager has denied the charges against him, even refusing to acknowledge a recorded phone conversation with Zarrab, claiming he never colluded with the Iranian-Turkish businessman. This case is closely monitored in Turkey; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly called for Zarrab's extradition, and Ankara officials have described the case as 'political,' alleging that Fethullah Gülen, Erdoğan's critic, plays a role in the matter. Turkey has accused Gülen of involvement in last year's failed coup attempt. The preacher residing in the U.S. has denied the allegations. The judge handling the case regarding the violation of Iran's sanctions has also dismissed statements and allegations regarding Gülen's involvement in the trial. In this context, Reza Zarrab claims he paid a bribe for his freedom from prison in Turkey. Bahmani denied meeting with Zarrab and evading sanctions through him. The Turkish police summoned an FBI agent at the U.S. embassy. A prisoner has filed a complaint against Zarrab for 'sexual assault.' The former Halkbank manager denied collusion with Zarrab to evade sanctions. The New York judge rejected Gülen's involvement in the trial of Zarrab and Atilla.