Halkbank claim at Trump-Erdoğan summit: Was it proposed to close the case?

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan traveled to Washington last month at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. The meeting, which took place at the White House for the first time in six years, was described as a "historic meeting" in terms of relations between the two countries.

A new claim regarding the meeting has drawn attention in diplomatic circles.

CLAIM THAT THE HALKBANK CASE WAS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE

The British news agency Reuters, citing two sources close to the meeting, claimed that President Erdoğan brought up the Halkbank case during the meeting at the White House.

According to the report, Turkish officials proposed during the meeting that the case, in which Halkbank is being tried on charges of violating US sanctions on Iran, be dropped in exchange for approximately 100 million dollars.

Sources speaking to Reuters stated that the proposal conveyed by Turkey also included some additional conditions. It was stated that Ankara's primary demand was for the case to be concluded without Halkbank admitting to the charges.

However, no statement was made regarding how the US side responded to this proposal, or whether contacts on the matter have continued following the meeting.

"A SETTLEMENT COULD REPAIR RELATIONS"

The Reuters report also included commentary that the alleged proposal could open a new chapter in relations between the two countries. The report stated, "A settlement between the parties in the Halkbank case could support Turkey's efforts to repair its relations with the US."

It was recalled that relations between the two countries became strained after Turkey purchased the S-400 air defense system from Russia in 2019.

WHAT IS THE HALKBANK CASE?

An indictment was prepared against Halkbank, which is accused of helping Iran violate US sanctions by using shell companies in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, and this indictment was made public in 2019. Halkbank has denied the charges against it.

In May, Halkbank filed an application with the US Supreme Court, requesting the cancellation of a decision made by the appeals court regarding its ability to be tried under criminal law.

The US Supreme Court rejected Halkbank's request. Halkbank shares fell by 10 percent following the US Supreme Court's decision.

In a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) on October 6, Halkbank reported that initiatives "aimed at finding a legal basis for a settlement within the framework of agreements between the US and Turkey" were continuing "positively."