US Deal With Halkbank Questioned by Judge, Terror Victim Group

A federal judge questioned a deal between the Trump administration and Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS that would let the Turkish state lender avoid criminal liability and financial penalty for allegedly helping Iran evade US sanctions.

At a Wednesday hearing, US District Judge Richard Berman asked a Justice Department lawyer to explain a deferred prosecution agreement made public earlier in the week. The judge pointed to concerns raised by a group representing US terrorism victims that Halkbank would pay nothing after allegedly helping Iran transfer $20 billion in restricted funds.

Under the agreement, which requires Berman’s approval, Halkbank would hire an ...