Iranian court delivers death sentence to Billionaire Babak Zanjani

Iranian court delivers death sentence to Billionaire Babak Zanjani. (TAZ)

An Iranian court has delivered a death sentence formerly issued for billionaire Babak Zanjani.

Zanjani’s lawyer Rasoul Koohpaye Zadeh said he received the sentence from Revolution Court Branch 15, ILNA news agency reported April 4.

“The delivery process has in fact begun today as the verdict comes in 318 pages and we should start taking notes, which takes time. When we are done taking notes, the verdict is considered as delivered, since which day we will have 20 days to plea,” the lawyer added.

A ruling announced March 6 convicted Zanjani and sentenced him to death, according to the Islamic juristic laws.

In December 2013, Iranian judiciary officials accused Zanjani of massive fraud at the Oil Ministry and money laundering. He has been kept in custody and attended court hearing sessions since then.

After sanctions were imposed against the National Iranian Oil Company, Iran had to partially export its oil through Zanjani's channels. Meanwhile, the ministry said Zanjani still owes more than two billion euros for the oil exports he handled on behalf of the former government.

An Iranian-Turkish wealthy businessman, Reza Zarab who is in the center of a major financial scandal in Turkey, revealed that his leader, billionaire Babak Zanjani, led a money laundering operation in Turkey.

Zanjani was involved in the sales of gold by Turkey to Iran, a case that has sparked an extensive investigation for corruption in Turkey.

The state-run IRNA news agency reported on January 3 that according to the information broadcast on the Turkish public television: "Reza Zarab has confirmed that Babak Zanjani was its director."

Babak Zanjani was arrested last week in Iran, as a consequence of a financial scandal in connection with the illegal activities of the mullahs in Turkey that has shaken that country.

According to a Turkish television, Zanjani and Zarab worked for transferring at least a planeload of gold bars from Istanbul airport to Dubai.

Persian language Ayandeh website reported on January 2 that "the latest information on the record indicates that the Iranian banking mafia has received a bribe of €4 billion for laundering operation" for a sum of $ 87 billion.

Related: US prosecutors charge Turkish 'Gold Trader' Zarrab at Heart of Turkey Graft Scandal.

US prosecutors charge Turkish 'Gold Trader' Zarrab at Heart of Turkey Graft Scandal.

U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of Turkish National For Conspiring To Evade U.S. Sanctions Against Iran, Money Laundering, And Bank Fraud . (Bloomberg)

#Turkey president #Erdogan personally vouched for the US-indicted Reza Zarrab, saying he has known him as a philanthropist

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) March 22, 2016

#Zarrab financed TOGEMDER, led by Saadet Gülbaran, the wife of first lady Emine #Erdogan's brother. First lady was among TOGEMDER's founders

— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) March 22, 2016

Reza Zarrab, a gold trader at the center of a bribery scandal that engulfed Turkey’s leadership more than two years ago, was charged by the U.S. of running a scheme to help the Iranian government launder hundreds of millions of dollars and evade economic sanctions.

Zarrab, 33, owner and operator of Royal Holding A.S., and two others, are accused of using a web of companies over five years to induce U.S. banks to unwittingly process transactions that violated international sanctions against Iran, according to an indictment unsealed on Monday.

The charges are a blow to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has repeatedly insisted that allegations of corruption against him and his inner circle were nothing more than a coup attempt.

In response to the scandal centered around Zarrab in 2013, Erdogan turned Turkey’s bureaucracy upside-down, dismissing thousands of state employees, police officers and prosecutors, with many jailed. He also labeled a group of former allies he blamed for the accusations, the Gulen religious movement, a terrorist organization.

Zarrab had denied any wrongdoing amid the Turkish investigation, saying the business was legitimate. The ministers also denied the charges. All charges against him and members of Erdogan’s government were eventually dropped.

The U.S. indictment suggests “that the allegations of sanctions-busting were strong enough to merit U.S. action, regardless of the political consequences," said Aaron Stein, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Hariri Center for the Middle East and author of the book "Turkey’s New Foreign Policy."

This "is a big deal because of Zarrab’s obvious connections to the AKP," he said, referring to the party Erdogan founded, which has governed Turkey since 2002.

Not mentioned in the U.S. indictment is Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS, the Turkish state-run bank that processed Zarrab’s payments and whose former chief executive officer, Suleyman Aslan, was also embroiled in the scandal and briefly jailed. Police found millions of dollars stuffed into shoe boxes when they raided Aslan’s home in Dec. 2013. He said the money was donations he was collecting for Islamic schools in Turkey and Macedonia.

In a television interview on Turkey’s ultra pro-government A Haber news in April 2014, Zarrab estimated he had facilitated the transfer of about $12 billion in gold, or about 200 tons, to Iran. The surge in exports driven by that business was so rapid and so extensive -- gold transfers to Iran jumped from $53 million in 2011 to $6.5 billion in 2012 -- that it distorted Turkish trade figures. Read the full story here. Hmmm......Don't worry Obama will protect his 'brother' Erdogan.The indictment can be read here.

Iran Targets Turkey Gold Trader Over Oil Billions.

Iran Targets Turkey Gold Trader Over Oil Billions.(Bloomberg).

An Iranian investigation into $2.7 billion of missing oil funds has concluded that Turkey-based gold trader Riza Sarraf may know the whereabouts of the money, a lawmaker involved in the probe said.

Sarraf, who was detained in Istanbul on separate corruption charges last year and released in February, helped jailed Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani transfer the oil revenues out of Iran, said legislator Amir Abbas Soltani, a member of the investigative committee set up last year to find the money.

Sarraf “didn’t just have one hand in this, he had all his hands tied up in what happened,” Soltani said in an interview in Tehran on Oct. 7. Sarraf was “definitely” involved in efforts by Zanjani to deposit the money in investments and assets outside Iran, Soltani said, citing information in his possession.

A lawyer for Sarraf in Istanbul has denied any partnership between her client and Zanjani. “It’s totally nonsense,” attorney Seyda Yildirim said by phone Aug. 25. “All Iran’s parliament can come and investigate. There’s nothing in common.” Yildirim didn’t respond today to two calls seeking additional comment.

With Iran isolated from the global banking system and its oil exports slashed by almost half under sanctions, investigators including Soltani say middlemen such as Sarraf and Zanjani reaped billions of dollars by re-routing goods, money and gold through Turkey using loopholes and a network of informal contacts and channels.

Zanjani, who previously worked as an informal oil dealer at the oil ministry, has been accused by Iranian government ministers of embezzling the $2.7 billion. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said in an interview on state television on Aug. 11 that Zanjani used the Tajikistan branch of his own bank, First Islamic Investment Bank, to funnel the money out of Iran.

Sarraf, an Iranian national who took Turkish citizenship in 2007, was released from a Turkish prison in February after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government dismissed and replaced prosecutors investigating his case.

Sarraf had been accused of bribing at least three of Erdogan’s ministers and the head of a state-run bank to facilitate his gold trade. Erdogan said the investigation was part of an attempt to oust his government. Read the full story here.

'Sanctions that Benefit' - Erdogan's BFF the Obama 'Admin' tells Turkey not to worry about Zanjani case.

'Sanctions that Benefit' - Erdogan's BFF the Obama 'Admin' tells Turkey not to worry about Zanjani case. (HD).

The Turkish government has nothing to be concerned about with regard to Babak Zanjani, the Iranian businessman blacklisted by the U.S. and the EU for helping Iran evade U.N. sanctions and currently under arrest in Tehran, according to a high-level Turkish official speaking on condition of anonymity.

There is no reason to be concerned about Zanjani’s possible testimony about links to Turkey, the official said, stressing that U.S. officials had told their Turkish counterparts that there was no need to worry about Zanjani’s case, which might implicate Turkey.

The U.S. and the EU have both blacklisted the Iranian businessman for helping Iran’s government and several firms evade an oil embargo. The Iranian Parliament began investigating his business dealings after he was accused of withholding $1.9 billion of oil revenue meant to be channeled through his companies, and he was arrested last December.

The Turkish public recently became familiar with Zanjani, who is allegedly the partner of an Azeri businessman and gold dealer, Reza Zarrab, who has been accused of bribing ministers to cover up a deal that allegedly saw Iran sell oil and gas to Turkey in return for cash that was then converted into gold by a Turkish bank and exported to Tehran, often via Dubai.

There has been speculation that Zanjani may reveal his possible dealings with Turkish figures or institutions, thus embarrassing Turkey and revealing that it was not abiding by sanctions on Iran.

When asked whether he was concerned that Zanjani’s possible testimony could create a headache for Turkey in the international scene, the official said “not at all,” adding that the U.S. had told Ankara that the case did not involve anything that could implicate Turkey.Hmmm....Anyone buying this?

Turkish PM asks Gulen: "Are you a scholar, or an intelligence chief?"

Turkish PM asks Gulen: "Are you a scholar, or an intelligence chief?" (Taz).

"Are you a scholar, or an intelligence chief?" Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked U.S.-based Turkish Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reported.

Addressing a substantial crowd in his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's local election rally in the northwestern province of Canakkale, Erdogan implied that Gulen controlled a network within the state which spies on people's privacy.

"If you are living like a recluse, then why are you interested in people's phone calls?" Erdogan said, referring to Gulen.

Gulen is accused by the government of masterminding an illegal group nestled within key institutions of the state such as the police and the judiciary.

The group, dubbed the "parallel state", is allegedly behind a number of operations including illegal wiretappings of thousands of people.

The prime minister also mocked the opposition parties for forming tentative alliances to beat the AK Party in the upcoming municipal elections.

He claimed the two main opposition parties, Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Action Party (MHP), were suggesting their followers support whichever party is the strongest against the AK Party in local administrations.

Turkey will go to the election polls on March 30 to choose their municipal leaders.

Erdogan earlier said this election was actually a general election in disguise, demanding a stronger support from his followers.

Obama's BFF Erdogan's Praetorian Guard or the new Turkish surveillance state.

Obama's BFF Erdogan's Praetorian Guard or the new Turkish surveillance state.(RT).

Turkey's current political leadership has been going through a severe crisis ever since corruption allegations emerged on Dec. 17. Bribery charges and shoeboxes filled with money provided catchy sound bites that are still being reiterated today. 

In conjunction with these embarrassing "facts" coming to light, Turkey's involvement in neighboring Syria's bloody war has also been in the spotlight of late – particularly, the scandal involving trucks carrying either "humanitarian aid" or "weapons and ammunition" into Syria, as part of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization’s (MIT) secret mission.

Founded in 1965, the MIT is tasked to collect intelligence to do with threats to the country and the nation's integrity and security. It reports to the prime minister, the president and the chief of the General Staff.

On Feb. 26, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan approved a new law that gives "broader powers for [Erdogan's] intelligence agency, including more scope for eavesdropping and legal immunity for its top agent," Reuters correspondent Orhan Coskun reported, after it was approved by Turkey's parliament Sunday.

This public scrutiny of a body directly attached to the figure of the prime minister by means of laws #644 (1965) and #2,937 (1984) has prompted the present incumbent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, well-known for his tendency to micro-manage Turkey's business and other affairs, to undertake a far-reaching revision by means of a law proposal.

This legal adjustment, tabled by the MPs İdris Sahin and Alpaslan Kavaklıoglu late Wednesday, Feb. 19, proposed changes among other things would allow Turkey's intelligence officers (MIT) to perform operations abroad and listen to international telephone conversations. In addition to somewhat copying actions carried out by the now more than infamous NSA, Sahin and Kavaklıoglu's proposals would also stipulate jail terms of up to 12 years for the publication of leaked documents.

In this way, Turkey would not just be replicating the exploits of America's National Security Agency, but even actively participate in President Obama's war on whistleblowers.

The bill would thus also force official institutions as well as private companies to surrender consumer data and technical equipment. In fact, at the beginning of December 2013, the prime minister expressed his feelings on the topic, explaining that "[e]xposing state secrets is not freedom but absolutely treason to the country and homeland." 

The new MIT measures are meant to bring Turkey's intelligence agency "in line with the requirements of the [current] age, grant it the capabilities of other intelligence agencies, and increase its methods and capacity for individual and technical intelligence [gathering]," the bill says.

Sahin and Kavaklioglu's proposals would thus create a direct link between the Turkish and US governments.

Fortuitously, the US President called Tayyip Erdogan on the same day as the bill was being presented.
The White House released a statement indicating that "President Obama spoke by phone with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey on a range of bilateral and regional issues. The President affirmed the value he places on a strong, mutually respectful bilateral relationship with the Republic of Turkey and expressed his view that Turkey can demonstrate leadership in the world through positive engagement." The US thus appears to be at pains to placate its Muslim ally to act swiftly with regard to the ongoing corruption allegations so as not to undermine the healthy business relations enjoyed by Turkey over the past decade.

In this way, Barack Obama seems to be expressing his approval of what I have termed “Turkey's pseudo-Ottoman policy” with regard to the erstwhile Ottoman hinterland and beyond. On a related note, the two leaders also discussed the war in Syria, underlining support for "continuing efforts to advance a political solution to the Syria conflict."

But the two men also spoke at length about the energy relationship between Ankara, Erbil, and Baghdad – an indication that Turkey's pseudo-Ottoman ambitions to acquire a significant stake in a regional part of Pipelineistan are also being followed closely by Washington.

 The new internet bill in tandem with the new MIT law would undoubtedly transform Turkey into an "intelligence" and "surveillance state," somewhat rivaling the US.

Ever since the days of Prime Minister (and later President) Turgut Özal (1927-93), the Republic of Turkey has been trying hard to transform itself into a "little America" in its own right. Özal's free market and Islam-friendly policies in many ways stand at the root of the current AKP-led government's success and prosperity. In his day, Özal was a close friend and ally of George H.W Bush and Tayyip Erdogan appears to be emulating his predecessor in this respect as well, cozying up to Obama and trying to turn Turkey into a Muslim nanny state with access to the latest state-of-the-art surveillance infrastructure and technology.

Against the backdrop of these clear moves to turn Turkey into a tightly-controlled, quasi-Orwellian "little America," recordings incriminating the prime minister and his son Bilal have emerged. As a result, Turkey's media and the Turkish population are at present trying to come to grips with a political class trying to extend its hold on power, while being embroiled in an ever-widening corruption scandal, which, in turn, appears to be but a pretext for a power struggle behind the scenes.

The upcoming local elections and the scheduled presidential poll later this year will reveal the direction Turkey will take in the coming years. Will it be steady as she goes or instead a course that would see a return of Turkey's self-proclaimed secularist political class?Hmmm......'By their fruits you will know them'. Read the full story here.

Related:

Obama 'Admin' just rubber stamped the totalitarian rule of Pm Erdogan.

Iran will not reduce gas prices for Turkey.

Iran will not reduce gas prices for Turkey.(Taz).

Turkey's request for a discount on gas price is not acceptable, Iranian deputy oil minister, Hamid Reza Araqi said, Mehr news agency reported on Feb. 24.

Commenting on the latest situation of Turkey's complaint against Iran on the exported gas price, Araqi said that the lawsuit will not lead anywhere. He also went on to say that Iran will accept the decision of the international arbiter on the issue.

Turkey has made the demands according to the 1996 agreement, adding that if it doesn't lead anywhere, they will be going to the International Criminal Court (ICC) or World Trade Organization.

Turkey's claim has not yet been proven in international arbitration, Araqi added.

He also underlined that the time it takes to reach a verdict will depend on the court, saying that it may be three to six months.

Commenting on Turkey's claims that Iran's gas delivery is unstable, Araqi said that currently billions of dollars have been invested for stretching the pipeline, pressure boosting installations, and other projects to ensure stable flow of gas to Turkey.

He underlined that Iran fully supplied Turkey with gas, despite the severe cold weather, arguing that Turkey's claims in the international court will not lead to any result.

On, Feb. 22, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that Iran is willing to lower the gas price supplied to Turkey, upon condition that it will increase the volume of imported gas from Iran.

Earlier in February, Turkish media outlets quoted Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız as saying that Turkey is expected to get more than $2 billion from its lawsuit against Iran.

In March 2012, Ankara appealed to International arbitration over the high price of Iranian gas.
The agreement on supplies of 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey on an annual basis was signed with Iran in 1996. The prices are not officially disclosed, but according to Turkish media outlets, Turkey buys Iranian gas for $490 per thousand cubic meters.Hmmm.......And Europe is crazy enough to purchase Iranian gas instead of Russian?  I've got a Bridge For sale !

Obama 'Admin' just rubber stamped the totalitarian rule of Pm Erdogan.

Obama 'Admin' just rubber stamped the totalitarian rule of Pm Erdogan.(HD).

U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a lengthy phone conversation Feb. 18 to discuss developments in Syria and the launch of talks to reach a solution in Cyprus.

In their first phone conversation in six months, Obama and Erdoğan talked for nearly one-and-a-half hours and exchanged views on strategic issues.

The two sides mutually decided to hold the phone call in the wake of the launch of the new round of unification negotiations in Cyprus, according to diplomatic sources.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, sources said the two leaders’ agenda did not include the ongoing corruption operation or the government’s legal amendments on key issues, such as the bills on the Internet and the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).Hmmmm.......It seems the Obama 'Admin' just rubber stamped the totalitarian rule of Erdogan, makes me wonder why Obama lets a new potential 'Assad' do what ever he wants? Read the full story here.

Related: 

US the last state to advise Turkey on Internet: EU minister

Iran: Rouhani set arrested Zarrab's assets as precondition for Turkey-Iran gas deal.

WHERE'S MY MONEY....DUDE?

Iran: Rouhani set arrested Zarrab's assets as precondition for Turkey-Iran gas deal.(NCRI).

Iran has recently sent officials to Turkey to reclaim all the assets in Turkey of Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab, who is currently under arrest pending trial as part of an ongoing corruption investigation, the Yurt daily reported on Tuesday.

According to Yurt, Iranian officials have demanded assistance from Turkish officials for the transfer of the assets of Zarrab and his partners to Iran.

The report claims that Babak Zanjani, an Iranian businessman and alleged partner of Zarrab, was managing $14 billion in assets in various forms inside Turkey. Zanjani was detained in Tehran by Iranian officials in December 2013.

The report also notes that Iranian officials in Turkey have collected detailed information about the activities of Zanjani and Kamelia Jamshidi while they were in country before fleeing to Iran on the eve of news announcing the corruption operation in December. Jamshidi was working for Zanjani as a supervisor of Zarrab's financial traffic in Turkey.

On Dec. 17 of last year, İstanbul and Ankara police staged dawn raids to detain more than 50 people as part of a corruption investigation. The sons of former ministers Muammer Güler and Zafer Çağlayan, as well as Zarrab and over 20 other suspects, have since been arrested.

The suspects stand accused of rigging state tenders, accepting and facilitating bribes for major urbanization projects, obtaining construction permits for protected areas in exchange for money, helping foreigners obtain Turkish citizenship with falsified documents and involvement in export fraud, forgery and gold smuggling.

Zarrab's assets were precondition for Turkey-Iran gas deal

According to Yurt, Iran agreed to sign a new natural gas agreement when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan promised to lift a freeze on Zarrab's assets in Turkey.

Erdoğan noted in Iran that Turkey imports oil and gas from Iran and that the volume of these imports would increase in the future.

After two years' absence, Erdoğan visited Tehran on Jan. 29, the same day the decision to freeze Zarrab's assets was lifted by the court after the lead prosecutor in the case was reassigned.

According to the daily, Erdoğan had to call Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ and revoke the assets freeze because Iranian President Hassan Rohani was unwilling to sign a gas deal without receiving Zarrab's assets.

During a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Erdoğan reportedly said: “We are aware that all the assets of Zarrab belong to you. Turkey has provided the necessary support for Iran to overcome the international embargo. I am ready for cooperation.”

Following Erdoğan's promise, Iran and Turkey signed a natural gas deal that includes articles concerning Iranian assets in Turkey.

When asked, a spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in Ankara said on Tuesday that the embassy has no information on the issue yet.

Iranian multi-billionaire Babak Zanjani`s assets seized

Iranian multi-billionaire Babak Zanjani`s assets seized.(Taz).

The identified assets of Iranian multi-billionaire Babak Zanjani have been seized, Iranian Deputy Judiciary Chief Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi said, Iran`s Mehr news agency reported on Jan. 30.

He noted that the seized assets are in possession of the prosecutors, adding that Zanjani's case is being looked into in one of Tehran's courts.

Raeisi also said that Zanjani's debts to Iranian oil ministry is the main issue of the case. The official said the public will be informed on the details of the case at a later time.

Zanjani who is the owner or shareholder of at least 70 companies and banks including Bank Arzesh in Tajikistan and First Islamic Bank, had been involved in Iran's oil sell and transferring the sold oil's money to the country to bypass the imposed western sanctions on the country.

He was arrested on Dec. 30, 2013. Zanjani's name also was mentioned in Turkey's latest corruption scandal.

Earlier on Dec. 22, Iranian media outlets quoted Iranian MP Mostafa Afzalifard as saying that Zanjani has paid his €2.06 billion debt to Iran's Oil Ministry.

The Central Bank of Iran announced on Dec. 28 that Zanjani has not paid any oil money to the CBI.
In September, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that "Zanjani claims the Americans blocked his bank account so he is not able to transfer the money to the Iranian government".

Zanjani had said that the money was in bank account of a Hong Kong-based company which is a subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company, adding that, "transferring the money to Iran is not my concern".

In an interview with the ISNA News Agency in August, Zanjani said that he has helped transfer €17.5 billion of the Iranian banks' capital from outside the country to domestic bank accounts with a 0.007 percent interest.

He further rejected rumors about him selling Iranian oil at a cheap price. He said that the Hong Kong-based company is in charge of selling Iran's oil, but since no bank was ready to transfer money for the firm, he said the company asked him to help, and he managed to transfer the money via the Malaysia-based bank (of which he was a member of the board of directors).

Zanjani also said he has helped the Hong Kong-based company with selling eight oil containers as well as some gas condensates containers. He claimed that he has helped Iran sell a total of 12 oil and gas condensates containers and secured the money transfer.Hmmmm......Babak Zanjani was 'working' with Turkish Reza Zarrab, you know the 'Alledged' turkish Gold smuggler that Erdogan's 'Just US' dep released.

Report claims Turkish bureaucrats used as couriers to dodge UN sanctions against Iran, transferred $ 20 Billion.

Report claims Turkish bureaucrats used as couriers to dodge UN sanctions against Iran, transferred $ 20 Billion.(TZ).

According to initial reports from the İstanbul Prosecutor's Office -- which is looking into a corruption scandal that erupted on Dec. 17 -- former Turkish members of Parliament and bureaucrats who hold diplomatic passports were used as couriers to transfer $20 billion from sanctions-hit Iran into Turkey, the Taraf daily reported on Tuesday.

The prosecutor's findings show that not only ministers and security officials have been used in the transfer of the money, but also former deputies and bureaucrats, the daily claimed, adding that the money transfers started after UN sanctions were imposed and was led by Reza Zarrab, an Iranian businessman who has been arrested as part of an ongoing graft probe in Turkey.

According to the charges in the ongoing graft probe, a criminal organization allegedly headed by Zarrab is thought to have distributed a total of TL 137 million ($66 million) in bribes to some Cabinet ministers and their sons to cloak fictitious exports and money laundering in which the organization was allegedly engaged.

Zarrab is accused of being the ringleader in Turkey of a shady money-laundering and gold-smuggling ring established to dodge sanctions against Iran. Following his arrest in the graft probe, he was described as a charitable person by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The resignation of three ministers involved in the corruption case (former Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan, Interior Minister Muammer Güler and Environmental and Urban Planning Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar) lent support to the allegations that government officials were involved in the scandal. EU Minister Egemen Bağış, who did not resign, was soon after removed in a Cabinet reshuffle.

Hmmm.....Obama's BFF Erdogan.....another 'Friend of Hamas'

Turkey - Iranian Businessman Zarrab suspected of sending $1.5 million for assassination of Saudi ambassador to US.

Turkey - Iranian Businessman Zarrab suspected of sending $1.5 million for assassination of Saudi ambassador to US.(TZ).

Reza Zarrab, an Iranian businessman who has been arrested as part of an ongoing graft probe, is claimed to have transferred the money for an assassination plot revealed three years ago that was to have been carried out by an Iranian-American against the Saudi ambassador to the US and of perhaps being a member of the Iranian al-Quds Force, a branch of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Is Reza Zarrab, who, according to a report by MİT [Turkey's National Intelligence Organization] sent $1.5 million for the assassination [of the Saudi ambassador] a member of the al-Quds Force, which is part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps?” asked Umut Oran, deputy chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), in a written parliamentary question he submitted on Friday to be answered by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Erdoğan had described Zarrab as a charitable businessperson after Zarrab, who is also a Turkish citizen, was arrested in connection with a corruption probe in which four former Cabinet ministers are also implicated and which was made public on Dec. 17.

Manssour Arbabsiar, a dual US-Iranian citizen, was arrested in September 2011 in the US for conspiring to murder Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the US. Arbabsiar, who was sentenced in May 2013 to 25 years in prison, pleaded guilty in court in October 2012, acknowledging that he had hired an apparent drug dealer in Mexico in 2011 for the assassination plot.

Noting that Arbabsiar said in his first statement that he was employed, financed and directed by the al-Quds Force, Oran demanded to know in his parliamentary question: “Is Reza Zarrab, who is claimed to have sent money to this person, a member of the Iranian intelligence or military units. Have you received any information of this type?”

Authorities said Arbabsiar had admitted his role in a $1.5 million plot to kill the ambassador at a restaurant by setting off explosives, the news portal also said on Oct. 17, 2012.

According to the charges in the ongoing graft probe in Turkey, a criminal organization allegedly headed by Zarrab is thought to have distributed a total of TL 137 million ($66 million) in bribes to some Cabinet ministers and their sons to cloak fictitious exports and money laundering in which the organization was allegedly engaged.

In the parliamentary questions he submitted, Oran also noted that, as per a MİT report dated Oct. 21, 2011 that became public, Zarrab sent $1.5 million to Arbabsiar for the assassination and that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had detected the move.

“Was the information contained in the MİT document that was signed by six MİT members and presented under the heading ‘To Mr. Undersecretary [of MİT]' and dated Oct. 21, 2011, that said the companies Azra and Hacer Jewelery, [of] which Zarrab is the real owner, sent money for a murder-for-hire to Manssour Arbabsiar, who planned to murder Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the US, communicated to you?” Oran asked.Read the full story here.

Report: Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab wired money to person planning 2 assassinate S.Arabia’s Amb in US.

Report: Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab wired money to person planning 2 assassinate S.Arabia’s Amb in US.(Mt24). (GoogleTranslate).

Part of the operation on December 17, who was arrested on charges of corruption Iranian businessman Reza Zarraba myths regarding April 18, prepared in 2013 and the report presented to the Prime Minister about two years ago as a "supply" note appeared to prepare.

21 October 2011 six MIT staff partners prepared and signed "Dear Counsellor" in addressing organized with the "Offering" note in the document titled Zarraf relationships, about the claims and private life in so many aspects of information and claims that are featured.

Compiled the information content of the report itemized as follows: "By the United States to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States would attempt captured on the grounds of Mansour Arbabs to the company about sending money from Turkey in the work carried out.Read the full story here.(Sadly Google translate makes from Turkish - 'Ghoulish').

Turkey 'Democracy or Dictatorship?' New graft probe taken from prosecutor Akkaş.

Turkey 'Democracy or Dictatorship?' New graft probe taken from prosecutor Akkaş.(TZ).

A new graft probe has been taken from prosecutor Muammer Akkaş, who is known for his work on sensitive cases like the Ergenekon coup plot and the murder of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, a move that could further cast a shadow over the corruption investigation.

LIVE UPDATES15:10 - AK Party deputy urges president to intervene in Turkey's political turmoilJustice and Development Party (AK Party) Ankara deputy Haluk Özdalga has stated that the political turmoil Turkey is going through is currently above the conflict between government and the Hizmet movement and needs an urgent intervention by President Abdullah Gül, further deeming it a crisis of both government and democracy.

“The turmoil we are going through -- which I call a crisis of government and democracy -- is at such an extent that the damage to the country's regime, economy and international esteem is growing incrementally,” Özdalga said, further adding that the support of the president is a must in such a chaotic atmosphere.

“Leaving all personal benefits and special conditions behind, the president should take steps towards [intervening] within the framework of his constitutional authorities. He seems to be the only way out to overcome the current crisis. 

The tension and chaos which cannot be eased might lead to permanent damage to the country. I personally think President Abdullah Gül should urgently intervene in this political turmoil and hope this unrest will come to a halt through the efforts of our president.”

14:30 - New graft probe taken from prosecutor AkkaşOn Wednesday, the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office ordered the detention of 30 suspects, including a number of deputies and businessmen. The İstanbul Police Department, which saw an extensive purge of its top officers over the last week, has not complied with the order, however.Akkaş was leading the investigation, which is seen as the second round of a graft probe that has shaken Turkey's political establishment.

Early media reports claimed that the investigation concerns al-Qaeda operations in Turkey as well as business deals in which deputies and public officials are involved.Akkaş gave the order to detain the suspects to the İstanbul police in the afternoon. The police, however, did not immediately comply; the İstanbul Police Department did not assign a team to carry out the mission.

17:20- İstanbul chief public prosecutor criticizes handling of corruption investigationİstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor has criticized handling of the corruption investigation into the alleged bribery and tender rigging in which dozens of well-known businessmen and sons of three ministers were detained.İstanbul chief prosecutor criticized prosecutors for launching the investigation last week without informing his office.

16:30 - Prosecutor Akkaş says he was blocked from investigating new graft probe“All my colleagues and the public should know that I have been prevented from doing my duty,” the prosecutor said in a statement sent to media outlets on Thursday.

16:10- MHP leader blasts Erdoğan's gov't over graft scandalCommenting on the graft scandal that has hit the country, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said on Thursday that the stain upon ruling party can no longer be washed away given that the corruption has spread “all around.”Bahçeli, in a press conference held prior to the party's general meeting, said: “The graft has wrapped around the entire country like an octopus. The corruption that has spread everywhere cannot be cleared away from this moment on,” calling further for an objective and fair trial as the country suffers from a “depression."
“This gruesome graft scandal has rocked the country, marking the biggest blow in recent years. The ruling party has lost all of its moral values; the way it is desperate and puzzled is very pathetic in my view. It is of much significance that the probe should resume till the end, in an impartial manner though. These accusations and allegations should be blasted away. As long as the judiciary is transparent, Turkey will always win,” Bahçeli added.

He concluded his speech by slamming the government over its involvement in the corruption, further accusing the party of having a prior record of graft, without specifying particular incidents.

Hmmm.....As some readers know i've been posting about 'Sanctions that benefit Turkey' foe almost two years, so i'm not surprised, but this could only happen because the Obama 'admin' allowed it.

Related: Much, much more here:

"Sanctions That Benefit" - Iranian gold stars in Turkish corruption scandal 

Great overview of 'events' here: 

AKP's Longest Day: Erdogan's Omnipotence Backfires Spectaculary, But Will The Protests Trigger Early Elections?

Iranian billionaire businessman, Zanjani claims his business is legal, denies involvement in Turkey corruption scandal.

Iranian billionaire businessman, Zanjani claims his business is legal, denies involvement in Turkey corruption scandal.(Taz).

Iranian billionaire businessman, Babak Zanjani has denied involvement in Turkey's corruption scandal, claiming his business is completely legal. Zanjani made the remarks in a note published on Dec. 25 on Sorinet Group`s official website.

Addressing the Turkish public, Zanjani said that all of his business in Turkey is legal, adding that he has not faced any restrictions or investigation regarding to his commercial activities, excluding the number of restrictions which have been applied to Iranian citizens.

Zanjani also underlined that he has met Reza Zarrab only few time, adding that "I am not aware of his activities."
"We did not carry out any common business," he said.
Zanjani went on to note that, "if Zarraf had done any illegal business, I would not be responsible for that."

Zarrab, accused of being the ringleader in Turkey of a shady money-laundering and gold-smuggling ring established to dodge sanctions against Iran, has said to prosecutors interrogating him that Zanjani is his boss.

The Haberturk daily published a story on Dec. 21 claiming that Zanjani, whom Zarrab referred to as "my chief," evaded the operation at the last minute. The daily claimed that emails between the two showed that Zanjani had planned to come to Turkey to meet with Zarrab in a luxury hotel in Antalya this week.
Zanjani denies that he is Zarrab`s chief, adding that his business with Zarrab - which was very limited in terms of amount--was completely legal.

Zanjani also defended his gold trade in Turkey.
"I bought 1.5 tons of gold from Ghana. I planned to sell 500 kilograms of that amount in Turkey and 1000 kilograms in Dubai. In Istanbul Ataturk Airport officials asked for the gold's documents and permitted the plane to leave the airport after the investigation," he said.

Turkish officials studied the issue repeatedly and thoroughly, Zanjani said, adding that there has not been any accusation made against him.

Haberturk claimed that when the gold was seized in Istanbul during an inspection of a ULS Airlines cargo jet en route to Dubai, Zanjani panicked. Thinking it would be confiscated by the Turkish state, he sent an urgent email asking Zarrab to immediately secure the gold by any means necessary. Zarrab used an encrypted email. This is said to be his exclusive form of communication for security reasons.

The surveillance records accused Zarrab of bribing a politician, whose name is also included in the interrogation report, and having the cargo sent to Dubai with fabricated documents saying the shipment carried "minerals."

Zanjani noted that his holding includes 64 companies, with total income which hits 6-7 billion euro per year and does not need "such little businesses" as claimed by the media.

Zanjani, whose name is blacklisted by EU and United States sanctions, owns a cosmetic company called Kont Cosmetic in Turkey. Zanjani also owns an air travel, land transportation, petrol and banking company under the name of Kont Group, which is based in Istanbul.
He is also Shareholder of Turkish "Onur" Airline Company.Hmmm.....'Sanctions that Benefit.'