Turkish economy minister defends predecessor Çağlayan over Iran sanctions charges

Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci claimed on Sept. 7 that his predecessor Zafer Çağlayan, charged in the United States with conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran, has "done nothing to harm his country."

"Çağlayan did not do anything against Turkey's interests," Zeybekci told reporters. 

"It is no concern to Turkey if Çaglayan acted against the interests of other countries," he added.  

Zeybekci also stressed that the case against Çaglayan remained unverified. 

"There are claims that sanctions were violated, but those who make these accusations are obliged to prove them," he said.

Turkish state-owned lender Halkbank also said on Sept. 7 that all its transactions have fully complied with national and international regulations.
   
"It would appear there is news about our bank and some of its former managers which misleads the public and investors," Halkbank said in a statement to the Istanbul stock exchange.

U.S. prosecutors have charged Çaglayan and the former head of a Turkish state bank with conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran, widening an investigation that has fuelled tension between Washington and Ankara.