Confirming that the FETÖ linked law firm "helped to organize the symposium and paid the participants' travel and lodging expenses", the statement said when the court accepted an invitation to participate in the Symposium, YKK was "one of the preeminent (and largest) law firms" in Istanbul.
At the symposium, Berman targeted the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and claimed that Turkey is governed by a "one-man rule," suggesting that the current government must be changed -- ideas consistently propagated by FETÖ supporters.
He had also criticized the dismissal of FETÖ-linked judges, prosecutors and police officers over the unlawful wiretapping charges.
Atilla was arrested in the U.S. earlier this year for allegedly violating American sanctions against Iran and found guilty of five charges related to conspiracy and bank fraud but was acquitted of money laundering.The government’s case hinged on the testimony of Reza Zarrab who was arrested in the U.S. in 2016 on similar charges.The Turkish businessman pleaded guilty on the charges just prior to the start of the trial and testified for the prosecutors against Atilla.The case has driven a further wedge between Washington and Ankara that already had strained relations.
The Turkish government has criticized the trial because of Judge Berman's proven links with FETÖ as well as the weak and illegally-obtained evidence, which were propelled by the prosecution regarding the alleged violation of the Iran sanctions.
Berman claimed his visit would not overshadow his neutrality in the case. However, he allowed well-known FETÖ fugitives as witnesses to determine the fate of Atilla.