Travel ban for Iranian businessman Zarrab, key graft suspect, lifted in Turkey

ISTANBUL

A Turkish court has lifted a ban preventing Iranian-born Azeri businessman Reza Zarrab, the prime suspect in Turkey’s high-level graft probe, from traveling abroad.

Zarrab was released from prison on Feb. 28 along with Barış Güler, the son of former Interior Minister Muammer Güler, and the son of ex-Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan, Kaan Çağlayan.

Zarrab, who was charged with forming a ring that bribed officials to help disguise illegal gold sales to Iran via Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank, is considered to be the key suspect of the graft investigation that has gripped the country since last December.

Former Minister Çağlayan is also accused of being bribed by Zarrab with a customized watch worth 700,000 Turkish Liras (around $300,000).