ISTANBUL, TODAY’S ZAMAN
FORMER HALKBANK GENERAL MANAGER SÜLEYMAN ASLAN (PHOTO: TODAY’S ZAMAN)Former Halkbank General Manager Süleyman Aslan, who was detained after a large-scale corruption investigation became public on Dec. 17, 2013, and was later released, is expected to receive a bonus from Halkbank worth as much as TL 60,000, media reported on Thursday.
Aslan, from whose house $4.5 million stashed in shoeboxes was seized, was arrested along with the sons of two ministers and Iranian-Azerbaijani businessman Reza Zarrab early on Dec. 21, 2013. Aslan stated he was holding onto the money for charity.
The Taraf daily reported on Thursday that Aslan would receive a bonus payment on March 31 from Halkbank. The bank is readying for a reshuffle of its board in April. Sources have speculated that Aslan would lose his position as a board member. The news report raised criticism among market representatives that the bank was “awarding” the corruption suspect extra money. Following a request to be released by their lawyers, Aslan and eight other suspects who are accused of being involved in corruption and bribery were released by an İstanbul court on Feb. 14. Aslan was later rehired by Halkbank as a board member. The state-run bank had already appointed a new general manager to replace Aslan.
27 March 2014,