Still no verdict at US trial of Turkish banker

Still no verdict at US trial of Turkish banker | iNFOnews.ca
In this court room drawing, defendant Mehmet Atilla, center, reviews documents during the second day of jury deliberations in his corruption trial, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017 in New York. The Turkish banker is accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions and launder billions of dollars in oil revenue. At left is defense attorney Victor Rocco and defense attorney Cathy Fleming is at right. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)

NEW YORK – A New York jury deliberating the fate of a Turkish banker on charges that he helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions has gone home for a second day without reaching a verdict.

The first full day of deliberations in the trial of Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla occurred Thursday in Manhattan federal court.

Jurors requested some evidence, including photographs and a video exhibit, along with read-backs of some testimony. The jury also asked to deliberate for a full day on Friday.

Prosecutors say 47-year-old Atilla was the architect of a conspiracy that enabled Iran to begin evading U.S. economic sanctions in 2011. Atilla’s lawyer says the executive was a humble civil servant at the state-owned bank, one of Turkey’s largest.

Turkey officials, including its president, have criticized the prosecution.

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Abbey Westbury

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