Cem Uzan, who once owned Turkey's second largest mobile telephone company and some banks, did not attend Thursday's trial because he is living in France and seeking asylum there.

The trial took place in Turkey, and it is not known if the country will seek Uzan's extradition from France, which is considering the asylum request.

Earlier, he was convicted on separate swindling charges and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison, a verdict he is appealing.

Uzan, the leader of Turkey's populist Youth Party, claims he has suffered a political “lynching campaign” by Turkey's government.