Turkey to seize assets of Reza Zarrab testifying in US court

Turkey is to seize the assets of Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab who is a key witness in the trial of a Turkish bank executive in the United States over violations of Iran sanctions, the state-run Anadolu Agency said on Dec. 1

The Istanbul prosecutor's office decided to seize the assets of Zarrab and those of his acquaintances as part of an investigation against him, the agency said.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Dec. 1 he hoped Zarrab would "turn back from his mistake" in cooperating with U.S. prosecutors, reiterating Ankara's view that the criminal trial in New York was aimed at putting pressure on Turkey and its economy.