Click here to read the article in Turkish / Haberin Türkçesi için buraya tıklayın
FBI Agent Kelly Langmesser speaking as to arrest of Rıza Sarraf in the US has said Sarraf has been taken into custody with no problems at Miami International Airport at around 10:20 p.m. on March 19.
Langmesser speaking to Tolga Tanış from Hürriyet daily said that US officials were informed of Rıza Sarraf’s travel to Miami with his family on March 19, 2016.
He was waited at problematic passenger area
The plane landed at 8:53 p.m. local time.
Sarraf advanced to passport check. He was sent to second check point prepared for problematic passengers. He started to wait here.
About an hour later, FBI agents who are in charge of investigating federal crimes have taken in charge.
December 17-25 probes may be brought to agenda
Figures allegedly Sarraf’s accomplices whose names are kept secret and mentioned as CC-1…CC-6 in the initial indictment prepared by Prosecutor Preet Bharara, signals that the investigation may expand to Turkey.
From this perspective, it is highly likely that December 17-25, 2013 probes, which were based on the allegation that Sarraf established a bribe system in the presence of Turkish banks and high-ranking government officials to by-pass sanctions against Iran, will be brought to agenda by the US.
Answers to the questions are on April 4
Questions like why Sarraf went to the US, took the risk of being jailed, to what extend he will cooperate with US officials during this investigation, how much information he will share as to people he worked together with in Turkey are expected to be clarified on April 4.
December 17-25 Investigations The 2013 corruption scandal in Turkey refers to a criminal investigation that involves several key people in the Turkish government. All of the 52 people detained on 17 December were connected in various ways with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Prosecutors accused 14 people – including Suleyman Aslan, the director of state-owned Halkbank, Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab, and several family members of cabinet ministers – of bribery, corruption, fraud, money laundering and gold smuggling |
(EKN/TK)
