Turkish media quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday as saying that Ankara needs to turn the legal challenges faced by US Senator Bob Menendez, a longtime critic of his government, into an opportunity to order the purchase of American F-16 fighter jets.
"Menendez's presence out of the picture is an advantage," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters on the plane, after being accused of accepting bribes from three New Jersey businessmen.
"There is a benefit in turning this situation into an opportunity. Not just in terms of F-16s, but on all other issues."
Erdogan raised the issue of Turkey's suspension of Sweden's NATO ratification and said the White House must also keep its promise on F-16 fighter jets.
"We are waiting for a clear response from America on this now. We hope to get a positive result without further delay."
Menendez, a Democrat who temporarily stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has long opposed the potential sale of F-16s to Ankara and has criticized Erdogan personally.
Menendez upheld his innocence and refused to step down from Congress (Anatolia)
Menendez denies accusations
On Monday, Menendez reiterated his denial of corruption charges, upholding his innocence, and said prosecutors sometimes make mistakes, stressing that the court of public opinion is not a substitute for the judicial system.
On Sunday, several Democratic members of Congress, including Pennsylvania Senator John Feterman, said Menendez should resign, while Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey announced Saturday that he would run against Menendez in next year's Democratic state Senate primary.
On Friday, Menendez and his wife were charged with taking bribes after a federal investigation into their ties to three New Jersey businessmen with ties to the Egyptian government.
Southern District Attorney Damian Williams said that from 2018 to 2022, Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian entered into a corrupt relationship with New Jersey real estate mogul Fred Daibes, halal certification businessman Wael Hanna, and New Jersey businessman Jose Uribe.
According to the indictment, Menendez asked the State Department for sensitive information regarding staff at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Based on the list, meetings were arranged between Senator Menendez and Egyptian military officials to agree on activities for the benefit of the Egyptian government.
Menendez sought in 2018 to persuade the White House to release $300 million in aid earmarked for Egypt, the indictment said.
Investigators found more than $486,2022 in cash when they searched Menendez's home and safety deposit box in June <>, most of them stuffed in envelopes and hidden in clothes, lockers and a safe, according to the indictment.
It is Menendez's second corruption indictment, after he was charged in 2015 with accepting bribes in the form of private flights, luxury vacations and more than $750,<> in illegal campaign donations.
But the Justice Department dropped those charges after 3 years, as the jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case.
Menendez, his wife and the businessmen are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, where the couple face up to 45 years in prison, but judges in this type of case usually issue sentences below the maximum sentence.