Extradition considered in fraud case

Awad Mustafa

• Last Updated: November 05. 2009 4:29PM UAE / November 5. 2009 12:29PM GMT

DUBAI // An Interpol Red Notice could be issued for the arrest and possible extradition of Chris Turner, the Istithmar executive sentenced to five years in jail for embezzling Dh4.9 million (US$1.3m).

The former risk assessment manager for the investment arm of Dubai World was convicted in absentia on Tuesday. The Dubai Criminal Court ordered him to pay $2.7m in fines and restitution.

Turner, speaking from an undisclosed location outside the UAE, continued to protest his innocence yesterday. He told The National he had not embezzled and was considering continuing his legal battle under UK jurisdiction.

Prosecutors said they would hunt for him.

“If the person is believed to be outside of the country, his location will be investigated and steps will be taken to return him in order to face his prosecution or serve his sentence,” said Shoaib Ahly, a Dubai public prosecutor.

Dubai Police said once they received the case file, they could issue an Interpol Red Notice, which is not an international arrest warrant but a local warrant circulated worldwide with the request that the wanted person be arrested with a view to extradition.

“If the person is not in his home country we start an investigation to determine his location. Once he is found we approach the country where he was found,” the police official said.

Police said if the wanted person was a citizen of a country with which the UAE has an extradition treaty, a request to extradite could be made.

The UAE and UK signed an extradition treaty in April 2008. So far, only one person has been extradited. Jeleel Ahmed, a Briton accused of stabbing a man to death in Birmingham, was sent back to the UK in August for trial.

As of yesterday, the British authorities had not received an extradition request for Turner, according to Eddie Townsend, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police in London.

Turner, meanwhile, said he was considering his legal options.

“We have been in mediations with Dubai World and Dubai World lawyers and have presented them with a full disclosure that I was happy to share,” he said.

Turner claimed Dubai World was trying to discredit him because of his knowledge about its affairs.

“They were very concerned with the information I was aware of and their debt and financial situation, they wanted to discredit me before I could speak out,” he said.

On Tuesday, Turner was found guilty of purchasing stocks for Istithmar from a British horse brokerage company that he owned, then pocketing a portion of the funds.

Turner, 45, came to the UAE in 2003 and headed a company at the Dubai internet City before joining Dubai World.

He said he was aware of the legal proceedings that led to his conviction on Tuesday, but had been out of the UAE since February 2008.

“I left the country the day I realised the route Dubai World was taking against me,” he said.

“I have been involved in a legal action which I was acquitted from in 2004 at the appeal and supreme court level. I know how the legal procedures are in the UAE and I do not want to go through them again.”

While he said he was not currently in the UK, Turner claimed he was not worried about returning there, despite the extradition treaty.

“If I wanted to speed up the process of this legal case I would present myself to the UK authorities and expedite the matter in court,” he said.

“But me and my legal team are looking into going ahead with our legal claims in all the relevant jurisdictions first.”

Turner also faces a temporary compensation claim at the Dubai Civil Courts. According to Hasan Arab, the chief litigator at Al Tamimi Advocates and Legal Consultants, who represent Istithmar World, a Dh200,000 claim was filed against Turner at the civil courts.

When asked whether Istithmar World had tried to pursue Turner internationally, a spokesman for the company said: “This is a matter for the appropriate authorities.”



amustafa@thenational.ae

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