Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. v. United States
Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. v. United States (Docket 21-1450[1]) is a United States Supreme Court case concerning the exposure of Turkish state-owned bank Halkbank to prosecution by the Department of Justice under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, and more broadly, the limits imposed by the sovereign immunity doctrine on criminal prosecution.[2][3][4][1]
| Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. v. United States | |
|---|---|
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| Argued January 17, 2023 Decided April 19, 2023 | |
| Full case name | Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. v. United States of America |
| Docket no. | 21-1450 |
| Argument | Oral argument |
| Questions presented | |
| Whether U.S. district courts may exercise subject-matter jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions against foreign sovereigns and their instrumentalities under 18 U.S.C. § 3231 and in light of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1330, 1441(d), 1602-1611. | |
| Court membership | |
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| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Kavanaugh, joined by Roberts, Thomas, Sotomayor, Kagan, Barrett, Jackson |
| Concur/dissent | Gorsuch, joined by Alito |
| Laws applied | |
| Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 | |
Background
After a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Supreme Court granted certiorari, asking "[w]hether U.S. district courts may exercise subject-matter jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions against foreign sovereigns and their instrumentalities under 18 U.S.C. ... and in light of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act".[5]
The governments of Azerbaijan, Pakistan,[6] and Turkey filed amicus briefs in support of Halkbank.
Argument
Oral argument took place on January 17, 2023. Lisa Blatt argued on behalf of Halkbank.[2][1]
References
- Howe, Amy (January 17, 2023). "Justices probe global consequences of allowing U.S. prosecutions of companies owned by foreign governments". SCOTUSblog.
- Liptak, Adam (January 17, 2023). "Supreme Court Looks for Middle Path in Prosecution of Turkish Bank". The New York Times.
- Chung, Andrew; Kruzel, John (January 17, 2023). "U.S. Supreme Court mulls Turkish lender Halkbank's bid to avoid charges". Reuters.
- Barnes, Robert (January 17, 2023). "Supreme Court struggles with criminal charges against Turkish-owned bank". The Washington Post.
- "Question Presented" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States.
- "Brief amici curiae of Republic of Azerbaijan and Islamic Republic of Pakistan" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. June 16, 2022.
External links
- Text of Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. v. United States, No. 21-1450, ___ U.S. ___ (2023) is available from: Oyez (oral argument audio)
