Turkish prosecutors have ordered the
detention of 417 suspects in a money-laundering investigation into the
transfer of about 2.5 billion lira ($419 million) worth of foreign
currency to bank accounts abroad/
detention of 417 suspects in a money-laundering investigation into the
transfer of about 2.5 billion lira ($419 million) worth of foreign
currency to bank accounts abroad/
The vast majority of the recipients of
the funds were Iranian citizens resident in the United States,
Istanbul’s chief prosecutor. said.
the funds were Iranian citizens resident in the United States,
Istanbul’s chief prosecutor. said.
Istanbul police teams were launching
raids across a series of provinces, searching properties and detaining
many people, the broadcaster said.
raids across a series of provinces, searching properties and detaining
many people, the broadcaster said.
State-owned Anadolu news agency said 216 of the suspects had so far been detained in operations across 40 provinces.
Police, the prosecutor and other judicial
authorities were not immediately available to comment on the report,
which was carried by other Turkish media.
authorities were not immediately available to comment on the report,
which was carried by other Turkish media.
The investigation was aimed at those who
“targeted the economic and financial security of the Turkish Republic,”
the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said.
“targeted the economic and financial security of the Turkish Republic,”
the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said.
The issue of foreign money transfers has become politically sensitive in Turkey, which is in the throes of a currency crisis.
The lira has fallen about 40 per cent
against the dollar this year, prompting President Tayyip Erdogan to warn
Turks against sending money abroad if it is not for investment.
against the dollar this year, prompting President Tayyip Erdogan to warn
Turks against sending money abroad if it is not for investment.
“We will not forgive those who resort to
smuggling money abroad if it is not to grow, develop and spread their
business, trade and investments,” Erdogan said in a speech to business
leaders in April.
smuggling money abroad if it is not to grow, develop and spread their
business, trade and investments,” Erdogan said in a speech to business
leaders in April.
There were no indications of any links
between the current investigation and Erdogan’s push to encourage Turks
to keep their money in Turkey.
between the current investigation and Erdogan’s push to encourage Turks
to keep their money in Turkey.
The suspects were accused of money
laundering, “forming a gang with the aim of committing crime,” and
“breaking a law aimed at preventing the financing of terrorism,” the
statement said.
laundering, “forming a gang with the aim of committing crime,” and
“breaking a law aimed at preventing the financing of terrorism,” the
statement said.
The operation was launched by financial crimes police.
It said the suspects were accused of receiving commission for sending the money to 28,088 accounts abroad.
The transfers were made from various bank
branches and ATMs starting from Jan. 1, 2017 with sums of 5,000 lira
and more, the statement said.
branches and ATMs starting from Jan. 1, 2017 with sums of 5,000 lira
and more, the statement said.
The crackdown comes months after a U.S.
court sentenced an executive from Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank to 32
months in jail in an Iran sanctions-busting case.
court sentenced an executive from Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank to 32
months in jail in an Iran sanctions-busting case.
The bank has denied any wrongdoing and Turkey has said that case is politically motivated.
