US tells Turkish businessman Sarraf's health is 'good'

ANKARA

The U.S. has told Turkey the health condition of jailed Turkish businessmen Riza Sarraf is “good”, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said Thursday.

Sarraf has been in jail in the U.S. pending trial. He was arrested last year on fraud and Iran sanctions-related charges.

Talking to reporters in Istanbul, Bozdag said the U.S. authorities informed Turkish Foreign Ministry the “health of Sarraf is in good condition”.

On Wednesday, Turkey sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. asking it to clarify Sarraf’s condition following some media reports.

"Following news dominating the media regarding Sarraf, our Washington Embassy has officially requested that the U.S. government clear up the situation," the Foreign Ministry spokesman had said in a statement.

Reporting by Murat Paksoy; Writing by Ahmet Sait Akcay