On Turkey Halkbank DOJ Files Nolle Prosequi Citing Hostages and Remains in Gaza

On Turkey Halkbank DOJ Files Nolle Prosequi Citing Hostages and Remains in Gaza By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 10 – Turkey's Halkbank officially gave up its strategy of refusing to official appear in the US criminal case against it, and on February 25, 2020 appeared and agreed to be indicted. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below.  On April 12, 2021 with the case stayed pending appeal, a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit heard the arguments. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here: [& fast podcast here] On October 22, 2021, the Second Circuit ruled that Halkbank is NOT immune. On December 21, Halkbank filed more than 30 pages with the Second Circuit, seeking a stay pending appealing to Supreme Court. Full filing on Patreon here. Halkbank was indicted for Iran sanctions violations and money laundering in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Jump cut to April 8, 2024 when DOJ in a civil case filed a motion to intervene in and stay, and a request to move the civil case to Judge Berman with the criminal case, in Hughes, et al. v. Halkbank, et all, 23-cv-6481.  In that case, 151 Americans are suing for death or injuries by Al Qaeda in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2020 and in Syria 2012 to 2013. The US Attorney's Office writes that it relies on the factual allegations in US v. Zarrab and facts adduced at the trial of Attila. April 8, 2024 letter on Patreon here In the criminal case on March 9, 2026, a DPA (Deferred Prosecution Agreement): LETTER MOTION addressed to Judge Richard M. Berman, from Michael D. Lockard/Jonathan E. Rebold/Jacob H. Gutwillig dated 3/6/2026 re: The Government writes requesting the Court dismiss all penging motion and enter Speedy Time Order.. Document filed by USA as to Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S." Judge Berman responded, "ORDER as to Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S.: The Court is proceeding with the March 11, 2026 conference. Among other things, the patties will be requested at the conference to explain the Deferred Prosecution Agreement and related documents." Watch this site. On March 10 Judge Berman docketed and endorsed a letter expressing grave concern at the DPA from the US Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, on Patreon here On March 11 Inner City Press live tweeted, as Judge Berman noted the opposition of victims and AUSA Lockard said, We've seen the letter. On June 10 the US Attorney's Office filed for nolle prosequi, stating that it "is consistent with the agreement by the Government in the DPA and otherwise furthers significant U.S. foreign policy and national security interests, including by contributing to multilateral efforts to secure the release of the hostages and victims’ remains who remained in Gaza, resolve the conflict in Gaza, and pursue a stable peace in the region. In light of the foregoing, the Government recommend" - full filing on Patreon here More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here The criminal case is USA v. Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S., 1:15-cr-867 (Berman) *** Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com Box 20047, Dag Hammarskjold Station NY NY 10017 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2024 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com for