 "Erdogan says Turkey has proof Russia involved in IS oil trade")
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today said Turkey had proof Russia was involved in illegal oil trade with the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, countering "immoral" Russian allegations that his own family was importing oil from the jihadists.
"We have the proof in our hands. We will reveal it to the world," Erdogan said in a televised address in Ankara.
The Russian defence ministry yesterday accused Erdogan and his family of involvement in the illegal oil trade with IS jihadists after Ankara's downing of one of Moscow's warplanes last month which plunged the two countries' relations into a crisis.
"In recent days a fashion led by Russia has emerged. Actually, Russia does not believe this either," said Erdogan, referring to the alleged oil trade with IS group.
"Look, Russia has to prove that the Turkish republic buys oil from Daesh, otherwise this is a slander," he added, using an Arabic acronym for IS extremists.
"The immoral side of this issue is involving my family in the affair," Erdogan added.
Erdogan repeated that he would resign if Moscow proved the allegation and said it was actually Russians who were involved in oil dealings.
"Who is buying oil (from IS)? Let me say it. George Haswani, holder of a Russian passport and a Syrian national, is one of the biggest merchants in this business," Erdogan said.
In November, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Haswani, who was also placed on an European Union sanctions list, for serving as a middleman for oil purchases by the Syrian regime from the IS group.
Erdogan said today "a famous Russian chess player" was also involved in the oil business with IS, without giving a name. "He's also in this race," he said.
The new US sanctions also apply to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, a wealthy Russian businessman and long-standing president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) who was formerly president of the southern Russian region of Kalmykia.
"We have the proof in our hands. We will reveal it to the world," Erdogan said in a televised address in Ankara.
The Russian defence ministry yesterday accused Erdogan and his family of involvement in the illegal oil trade with IS jihadists after Ankara's downing of one of Moscow's warplanes last month which plunged the two countries' relations into a crisis.
"In recent days a fashion led by Russia has emerged. Actually, Russia does not believe this either," said Erdogan, referring to the alleged oil trade with IS group.
"Look, Russia has to prove that the Turkish republic buys oil from Daesh, otherwise this is a slander," he added, using an Arabic acronym for IS extremists.
"The immoral side of this issue is involving my family in the affair," Erdogan added.
Erdogan repeated that he would resign if Moscow proved the allegation and said it was actually Russians who were involved in oil dealings.
"Who is buying oil (from IS)? Let me say it. George Haswani, holder of a Russian passport and a Syrian national, is one of the biggest merchants in this business," Erdogan said.
In November, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Haswani, who was also placed on an European Union sanctions list, for serving as a middleman for oil purchases by the Syrian regime from the IS group.
Erdogan said today "a famous Russian chess player" was also involved in the oil business with IS, without giving a name. "He's also in this race," he said.
The new US sanctions also apply to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, a wealthy Russian businessman and long-standing president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) who was formerly president of the southern Russian region of Kalmykia.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%