Abraaj founder Arif Naqvi has told a court in London that over a dozen charges brought against him and other Abraaj executives by the United States government in relation to the collapse of Abraaj are “politically motivated”, according to a media report.
Before the Westminster Magistrate’s Court, Naqvi’s lawyer said his client believes the US case against him is politically motivated because Abraaj threatened US interests. The lawyer didn’t specify which US interests and didn’t go into details during the short course of the hearing where it was decided that Naqvi’s trial for extradition to America will start next year in February at the Magistrate’s Court.
Submission by Naqvi’s lawyer before the Magistrate’s court set the tone of his defence, which is likely to rely on arguments that Naqvi will not get a chance to a fair trial in the US due to political reasons, bias and victimisation by media if extradited by the British government on request of the US.
“We’re not able to expand on the arguments outlined in court,” a spokesman for the Abraaj founder said, “Mr Naqvi continues to maintain his innocence, and he fully expects to be cleared of any charges.”
US prosecutors have accused Naqvi and former Abraaj executives of fraudulently inflating the value of the firm’s investments by more than $500 million. The firm went into liquidation last year but Arif Naqvi has strictly denied any personal liability and has vigorously maintained his innocence.