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Turkish minister urges US to end 'unlawful' case

Abdulhamit Gül demands end of Hakan Atilla's trial in New York, extradition of FETÖ-member Hüseyin Korkmaz

Ersin Çelik
10:24 - 17/12/2017 Pazar
Update: 10:26 - 17/12/2017 Pazar
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Abdulhamit Gül
Abdulhamit Gül

Turkey's Justice Minister reiterated on Saturday that he had sent a letter to his U.S. counterpart about the ongoing trial of former Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla in New York.

"We have asked our American counterpart to bring an end to this unlawful [case]," Abdulhamit Gül told journalists in the northern Samsun province.

Atilla, former deputy CEO of state-lender Halkbank, was arrested in the U.S. earlier this year on charges of violating sanctions against Iran. However, he has rejected accusations of evading sanctions.

The minister said it was the duty of Turkish courts to judge if a crime had been committed or not.

"Turkish judges will rule for actions in Turkey," he said.

In his letter to Jeff Sessions sent earlier this week, Gül wrote: "We watch regrettably that this case, which was opened in order to protect the financial interests of the U.S., is proceeding to serve the purpose of completing an unfinished operation of a terrorist organization against Turkey."

He stated that while Turkey was expecting the extradition of members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the U.S. protects the illegitimate efforts of the terrorist organization.

He said Turkey had asked for the extradition of Hüseyin Korkmaz, a fugitive alleged FETÖ member and former Turkish police supervisor, who fled to the U.S. after being released in February 2016. He is currently testifying in a case against Atilla.

Gül also added that Turkey had asked for the extradition of FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen, who has lived in the U.S. since 1999.

Ankara has sought Gülen's extradition in relation to the failed July 15, 2016 coup that left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

#FETO
#Hakan Atilla
#Huseyin Korkmaz
6 yıl önce