Halkbank Appeals Supreme Court Ruling

Halkbank (HALKB) has taken action following the Second Circuit Court of Appeals' rejection of its appeal in the ongoing Rıza Sarraf case at the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York, asserting that it, as a public bank owned by the Republic of Turkey, cannot be tried in the U.S. The bank has requested a new hearing and retrial through its attorneys in the U.S.

Named in the indictment in October 2019, Halkbank claims it cannot be tried in the U.S. under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). After its application to the U.S. Supreme Court was rejected, the case was sent to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Halkbank's appeal argues that the court's decision constitutes a "clear legal error" and is "contrary to the decisions of the executive branch."

In its 67-page appeal submitted to the court, Halkbank states that the decision of the court panel contradicts principles of international law. The appeal emphasizes the principle that "an independent country and its public institutions cannot be tried by any other country due to their commercial activities." It is noted that the court's decision regarding Halkbank does not conform to this principle.

According to a VOA report, Halkbank argues in its application that this situation constitutes an interference with international customary law and the authorities of the executive branch, and it is requesting a reassessment.