In Iran Sanctions Case, a Clash Over Turkish Banker’s Role
The biggest talking point for the Turkish authorities arose when a defense lawyer in the Manhattan trial cited a letter to a Turkish
judge from Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Muslim preacher whom Mr. Erdogan accuses of being behind a failed coup last year.
It was during the cross-examination of Mr. Korkmaz in Manhattan
that the defense lawyer mentioned the letter, which is said to be from Mr. Gulen to a Turkish criminal judge, Mustafa Baser, appealing for the release of prisoners.
The 2013 Turkish investigation forms the core of the case in Manhattan against Mr. Atilla,
leading the Turkish government to denounce the trial as politically motivated.
16, 2017
It was on Thursday when lawyers for a Turkish banker on trial in Manhattan federal court told the judge
that their client would take the stand the next day, to testify on his own behalf.
Mr. Fidan said the order appeared to have been followed: After receiving the letter, Judge Baser
and another judge, Metin Ozcelik, released the prisoners.
An Istanbul prosecutor released what he said was the letter, saying it was clear evidence
that Mr. Gulen had intervened to influence the judicial process in Turkey.
Mr. Korkmaz, in his testimony, denied any links to the Gulen movement and said he had no knowledge of the letter.