14.07.2026 20:50
The long-awaited verdict in the Reza Zarrab case in the US has been announced. The court decided to credit Zarrab's previously served time in custody against his sentence, resulting in no additional prison time. Thus, the trial process regarding Zarrab has concluded.
Approximately 9 years later, a verdict was announced for Reza Zarrab, who cooperated with prosecutors by pleading guilty in a case involving the violation of US sanctions against Iran in the US.
TIME SERVED CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT, NO ADDITIONAL PENALTY IMPOSED
Judge Richard Berman of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York decided to credit the time Zarrab had already spent in detention against his sentence, applying no additional prison time. Thus, the trial process regarding Zarrab has come to an end.
The court filings noted that prosecutors stated Zarrab had provided extensive cooperation with authorities during the investigation. Prosecutors recorded that Zarrab provided accurate, complete, and reliable information throughout the investigation and gave significant testimony related to the allegations of sanctions violations.
ARRESTED 9 YEARS AGO
Reza Zarrab was detained by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Miami on March 19, 2016, while traveling with his family, and was arrested on March 21, 2016. Zarrab's arrest also led to a case being filed in the US against Halkbank regarding its role in violating sanctions against Iran.
PLEADED GUILTY AND WAS RELEASED
Zarrab, who cooperated with prosecutors and pleaded guilty, was released on bail in 2018. In his court statements, he claimed to have bribed former Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan with 45-50 million euros and 7 million dollars, alleging that Çağlayan demanded a share of profits from trade with Iran. Zarrab also detailed in court how payments for Iranian oil and natural gas were conducted to bypass sanctions.
ALSO TESTIFIED IN HAKAN ATILLA CASE
Zarrab also testified against Mehmet Hakan Atilla, the former Deputy General Manager of Halkbank, who was tried in the US in 2017. Atilla, after spending 28 months in detention for his role in violating Iranian sanctions, returned to Turkey in 2019. Atilla later assumed the position of General Manager of Borsa Istanbul, leaving that role after two years.
HALKBANK CASE DISMISSED
The Halkbank case, which had been ongoing in the US for approximately 9 years, was dismissed in June 2026. An agreement was reached between the US Department of Justice and Halkbank in March.
It is a common practice in the US for the sentences of cooperating witnesses to be announced after the completion of the cases in which they testified. Judge Richard Berman had set today's date for announcing Zarrab's sentence while considering the request to dismiss the Halkbank case.