Turkish money launderer’s arrest could bring Erdogan under spotlightMarch 24, 2016 - 12:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Turkish gold trader at the centre of a corruption scandal that engulfed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been arrested in Miami and charged with laundering millions of dollars, the Independent reports. Reza Zarrab, also known by the name Riza Sarraf, was accused in 2013 of bribing senior ministers from Turkey’s ruling party with cash and lavish gifts as part of a scheme to bypass U.S. sanctions on Iran. On Saturday, March 19 the 33-year-old was publicly arrested in Florida when U.S. prosecutors charged him with fraud, money-laundering and sanctions-busting. The arrest threatens to reopen a case that reached right into Erdogan’s inner circle and to tarnish the party that he founded. It will also deepen existing tensions between Turkey and the United States, the Independent says. Zarrab, an Iranian-born Turkish citizen, was detained and charged in Istanbul in 2013 in a huge corruption case that posed the biggest challenge to Erdogan. The allegations centered on a claim that Zarrab was using a loophole in U.S. sanctions on Iran to buy oil and gas in exchange for gold. The businessman, according to the Independent, was accused of bribing senior ministers in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in order to facilitate the transfers. Photo. Getty Images Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |