In a groundbreaking development, a compensation lawsuit has been filed in a federal court in the Southern District of New York against Halkbank and Reza Zarrab. The lawsuit, initiated on behalf of American soldiers and their families who suffered losses or injuries in attacks in Syria and Afghanistan, alleges that the defendants provided support for acts of terrorism.
As reported by Razi Canikligil from Sözcü, the case includes a comprehensive claim, asserting that Zarrab and Halkbank actively aided and abetted the attacks, and were part of a conspiracy connected to these incidents.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit represent 151 individuals who were victims of 27 attacks that occurred between 2012 and 2020 in Afghanistan, as well as one attack in Syria from 2012 to 2013. The central accusation revolves around the claim that Zarrab and Halkbank systematically facilitated the financing of terrorist operations by the Iran National Oil Company, an entity associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while evading counterterrorism sanctions from 2012 to 2016.
The legal filing contends that the defendants were fully aware of their involvement in activities related to terrorism and violence. Furthermore, it alleges that they intentionally initiated and concealed a plan aimed at laundering Iran’s oil revenues, with questions raised regarding their motives and knowledge behind this clandestine operation.
The presiding judge has ordered that a copy of the complaint be delivered to the bank’s representatives by October 1 and has set a deadline of January 29 for Halkbank to respond to the allegations.”
