Halkbank's Response to Allegations Against Its Deputy in the United States

Halkbank of Turkey, in response to the arrest of its deputy in the United States, stated that all its banking operations and financial transactions have been conducted "entirely under national laws [of Turkey] and international laws." Reports indicate that Mehmet (Mohammad) Hakan Atilla, the deputy general manager of Halkbank, is accused of collaborating with Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-Turkish businessman; U.S. prosecutors have charged Mr. Zarrab with transferring hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian government and Iranian companies between 2010 and 2015, thereby circumventing U.S. sanctions against Tehran. According to a Reuters report, in a statement sent by Halkbank to the Istanbul Stock Exchange on April 10, "a number of media outlets" have been accused of spreading news that undermines the credibility of this financial institution and diverts public and investor opinion. The statement asserts, "All our bank's activities and financial transactions have been conducted fully and continuously under national and international laws." Furthermore, the statement mentions, "Our bank will utilize all resources to protect its shareholders, business partners, and depositors' rights." This statement coincides with accusations from the Turkish Foreign Minister against the U.S. prosecution, claiming that Mr. Atilla's arrest was for "political purposes." Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, stated during a press conference with his American counterpart Rex Tillerson that the arrests of Halkbank's deputy director and Reza Zarrab were politically motivated in the U.S. Çavuşoğlu noted that this case was opened by Preet Bharara, the dismissed federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. Mr. Bharara was one of the 46 prosecutors appointed by former President Barack Obama, whom Donald Trump asked to resign. U.S. federal agents arrested Atilla at New York's airport. Zarrab's arrest dates back to April 2016 in Miami.