The Latest: Jury back to work in US trial of Turkish banker

FAN Editor

The Latest on jury deliberations in the trial of a Turkish banker. (all times local):

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11:05 a.m.

A jury deliberating the fate of a Turkish banker charged with helping Iran evade U.S. economic sanctions wants to know what happens if it reaches a verdict on only some charges.

The Manhattan federal court jury asked the question as it returned to work Wednesday after holiday break in the trial of Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla. The trial has drawn heated criticism from Turkish leaders, who say it is designed to discredit the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The jury was off all last week for the holidays.

Judge Richard Berman said the jury’s question did not indicate they were deadlocked so he instructed them to continue their work.

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Atilla testified that he acted professionally and legally.

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12:25 a.m.

After an extended holiday break, a New York jury is poised to resume deliberating the fate of a Turkish banker charged with helping Iran evade U.S. economic sanctions.

The Manhattan federal court jury enters a fourth day of deliberations Wednesday in the trial of Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla. The jury was off all last week for the holidays.

Atilla has pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped Iran launder oil and gas revenues through world banks, including in the U.S.

The trial attracted considerable interest in Turkey, where government officials criticized the United States for the prosecution.

The criticism came in part because the government’s main witness was a Turkish gold trader who testified that bribes to government officials helped the conspiracy proceed

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US jury asks about partial verdict in Turkish banker's trial

NEW YORK –  A jury deliberating the fate of a Turkish banker charged with helping Iran evade U.S. economic sanctions asked a judge Wednesday what happens if it reaches a verdict on only some charges in a trial that has angered Turkey government officials. Continue Reading Below The Manhattan federal […]