Hakan Atilla's striking remarks on Reza Zarrab: 'It is certain he would be more reputable than me'

A new development has occurred in the process regarding the Halkbank case being heard in the US. The court decided on March 11 to pause the criminal case filed against Halkbank for a period of 90 days.

During this period, the public bank is expected to demonstrate that it remains committed to the agreement made with the US government.

KAP DISCLOSURE: NO ADMISSION OF GUILT AND NO FINES

The Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) statement made by Halkbank included striking expressions regarding the settlement agreement. The statement said, "Within the scope of the aforementioned settlement agreement, our bank does not admit to any criminal offense, nor will it pay any judicial or administrative fines."

STRIKING STATEMENTS FROM HAKAN ATILLA

Hakan Atilla, one of the prominent names in the case, also made statements regarding the process. Atilla, who returned to Turkey in 2019 after being imprisoned in the US for 28 months, was later appointed as the General Manager of Borsa Istanbul and resigned from his post in 2021.

Atilla, who has remained silent for a long time, spoke to T24 columnist Cansu Çamlıbel.

“IF REZA ZARRAB COMES, HE WOULD BE MORE REPUTABLE THAN ME”

Atilla used the following expressions regarding the possibility of Reza Zarrab's extradition to Turkey:

“Well, if Reza Zarrab comes, it is certain he would be more reputable than me. He could be a reputable businessman in Turkey again. I wouldn't be surprised.”

“I DO NOT FORGIVE ANY OF THEM”

Speaking about the people he believes were responsible for the process against him, Atilla made the following assessment:

“But in the end, I do not forgive any of those who knew I was innocent, who knew what was going on there, and who threw me into the fire there to protect themselves. They already know who they are. I confronted them with this to their faces, but this is Turkey, they didn't take it to heart.”

Atilla also stated that Halkbank personnel were not allowed to be used as witnesses, using the words, “Maybe they thought they would be arrested too. Let's not say the government... Let's say someone within the government [prevented] the senior Halkbank team from contributing to the legal defense.”

“THE DISMISSAL OF CHARGES SHOULD BE DEMANDED”

Atilla argued that Turkey should also take initiative for other public officials mentioned in the case. In his assessment of the subject, he used the following expressions:

“There were other public officials whose names were mentioned there along with me. Like Zafer Çağlayan, like Süleyman Aslan, like Ali Fuat Taşkesenlioğlu... I mean, I received a sentence, but these names continue to be accused there as well. There is nothing in the signed protocol aimed at dropping the charges against them either. If the case has become obsolete due to a political decision by the US administration, Turkey needs to demand that the charges against us be dropped as well.

They should have demanded it, in fact, they still need to. Maybe they brought it up, I don't know. But this should be part of the negotiation. The other side might not accept it, but you can make it a part of the negotiation. Remember, Turkey openly accused Reza Zarrab of treason and espionage. Today, you agree to cancel the cases and return the assets of a man you accused like that in the past, but you can't think of demanding the reversal of decisions against people who worked for your own state and have no guilt or sin? This situation seems funny to me!”

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HALKBANK CASE?

The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York prepared an indictment against Halkbank in October 2019, alleging that it played a role in circumventing sanctions against Iran.

According to the prosecution, the bank was accused of mediating the use of Iran's oil revenues by converting them into gold and later into cash. During this process, it was alleged that fake food trade documents were issued and approximately 20 billion dollars in funds were secretly transferred. Halkbank denied all accusations.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during that process, described the US decision to prosecute Halkbank as “ugly and unlawful.”

At the root of the investigation was the arrest of Iranian-born Turkish citizen Reza Zarrab in the US in 2016. Zarrab, who was accused of violating sanctions against Iran, accepted the charges and testified against Mehmet Hakan Atilla, the Deputy General Manager of Halkbank, who was arrested in the US in 2017.

Atilla was tried on charges of playing a role in the process of circumventing sanctions, returned to Turkey in 2019 after being imprisoned for 28 months, and was subsequently appointed as the General Manager of Borsa Istanbul. He resigned from this position in March 2021.

News Source: 12punto