US prosecutors credit gold trader in Iran sanctions case with key help ahead of sentencing
Summary
U.S. prosecutors are asking a judge to give a lighter sentence to Reza Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian gold trader who admitted to helping Iran avoid U.S. sanctions. Zarrab gave important testimony in a 2017 trial that led to the conviction of a Turkish banker, but he faced threats and risks because of his cooperation.Key Facts
- Reza Zarrab pleaded guilty in October 2017 to conspiracy, bank fraud, and money laundering charges.
- He helped U.S. prosecutors by exposing bribery involving Turkish government and banking officials.
- Zarrab testified in the 2017 trial that convicted Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla.
- After cooperating, Zarrab was attacked in prison and threatened with death for testifying.
- Due to threats, Zarrab was moved from prison to FBI custody.
- The Turkish government froze and seized Zarrab’s assets after he began cooperating with U.S. authorities.
- The delay in sentencing Zarrab is common for complex cases where testimony may be needed in multiple trials.
- Recently, a U.S. judge dismissed charges against Halkbank, a Turkish state bank, after warming relations between President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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