On Turkey Halkbank Cooperator Zarrab Gets Time Served No Restitution After DOJ Cites 5K

On Turkey Halkbank Cooperator Zarrab Gets Time Served No Restitution After DOJ Cites 5K By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon  Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 14 – 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 After that, the final step: for cooperator Zarrab's July 14 sentencing, the US Attorney's Office on July 6 filed a sentencing letter citing 5K(1) and recounting that "another inmate at the MDC approached Zarrab and advised that he had been paid to kill Zarrab for being a cooperator. The MDC inmate said he expected Zarrab’s cooperation to be confirmed in the near future and Zarrab would be killed because he was cooperating against “big people in Turkey.” The MDC inmate showed Zarrab a homemade knife to confirm his threat. After this threat, Zarrab was taken out of the MDC" - memo on Patreon here. On July 8 Zarrab's redacted letter, including "I never imagined that political forces beyond my control would play such a significant rule in my person life [REDACTED] - on Patreon here. On July 14, Inner City Press live tweeted the sentencing: Judge Berman: Halkbank was charged with violating the International Emergency Powers Act and other crimes. The prosecutors engaged in years of litigation, here, the 2d Circuit and the US Supreme Court. On Feb 28, 2026 they entered into a DPA Judge Berman: In sentencing a defendant the Court also is guided by 2d Circuit cases US v. Crosby and other cases... Mr. Zarrab was arrested in 2016 at the airport in Miami on his way to Disney World. He was transferred to the MCC here in NYC. He pled not guilty  Judge Berman: In 2017 he pled guilty pursuant to a cooperation agreement - he agreed to disclose all information. I find that he has done so. The US agreed to a 5K(1) cooperator's letter which they have filed From patreon.com  Judge Berman: Mr. Mehmet Atilla was sentenced to 32 months. As to Mr. Zarrab, his father passed away, his mother is a homemaker. Mr. Zarrab is unemployed, supported by family. He has a negative net worth  [Inner City Press note: there's talk of a horse farm] Judge Berman: Probation Department recommends time served. Defense counsel says he participated in frequent meetings with the Government. Mr. Zarrab expresses remorse. 5K1.1 letter says he was a valuable trial witness, helping the jury understand a complex scheme  Judge Berman: The Government says Mr. Zarrab was approached in prison by a person who said he was paid to kill Mr. Zarrab. The Government is not seeking prison time. That seems appropriate in this case.   Judge Berman: The Court seems no need for any further supervised release. Nor has anyone filed asking for restitution. Gibson Dunn filed in June 2026 that they represent 1121 victims of "terrorist attacks" with judgments against Iran. But they weren't at the DPA Judge Berman: Mr. Zarrab already forfeited a boat and $88,000. The Court agrees that is enough. He has suffered extraordinary financial harms. So that is what I had to say. I will return to formally pronounce sentence Judge Berman: Does the defense have anything to add? Defense: Nothing dramatic. Just to thank the Court for its work over the years- Judge Berman: Feels like 25 years Zarrab: Thank you for your Honor for your consideration for the safeties for me and my loved ones Defense: We'd like bail to be exonerated and the passport returned. Judge Berman: Granted. To reiterate I imposed time served - 22 months - below the guideline. More on X for Subscribers here and Substack here USA v. Zarrab, et al, 1:15-cr-00867 (Berman) 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