Turkish vs. U.S. justice

The trial of a Turkish-Iranian gold trader set to begin in federal court in New York this week has taken yet another intriguing turn on two continents.

The prosecution of Reza Zarrab on charges he helped facilitate millions of dollars of transactions in violation of U.S. and international sanctions has been of inordinate interest to members of the Turkish government. The indictment — of eight individuals altogether, some not in U.S. custody — also involved allegations of Turkish officials taking bribes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in fact raised the issue of the prosecution in a phone call with President Trump back in September. And just about a week ago Turkey opened up its own investigation into former U.S. Attorney for Manhattan Preet Bharara and his successor, acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim.

The Turks claim the U.S. Attorney’s office has been “infiltrated” by Gulenists, followers of an exiled cleric blamed by Erdogan for the 2016 coup against him.

“Needless to say, it’s our view that those claims are ridiculous on their face,” Kim said in court last week.

But even more intriguing is the possibility, advanced in several news reports, that Zarrab may have gotten himself a plea deal either in connection with the case against his co-defendant Hakan Atilla, a Turkish banker, or sharing whatever he knows about former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, whose Turkish dealings are being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller — or both.

Corruption — wherever it occurs — is an ugly thing. Its exposure in an American courtroom would send a strong message that it will not be tolerated here.