Canadian says Russian hired Australian hitman over Dh12m civil case, Dubai court hears

Russian investor 'with links to Chechen president' allegedly hired hitman to threaten Canadian and his family so he would drop civil case.

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A Canadian filed a civil case for Dh11.9 million against a Russian investor who it is claimed has links to the Chechen president before he was threatened by an Australian hitman, a court heard on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old Canadian said that, after filing the case, he received a call from an Australian man in January, who told him that he hurts people for a living.

“He told me he hurt many people in Australia and that he was assigned to harm my family. Then he sent me pictures of my parents and other family members and locations of their offices as well as my passport copy to confirm to me that he can reach them,” said the man.

He added that the caller told him that the threats were serious and would be followed through unless he dropped the case against the Russian.

“No, not at all,” said the 40-year-old Australian defendant in court, denying a charge of issuing threats.

The investor, 38, denied a charge of aiding and abetting the Australian defendant.

Prosecutors said they found the pictures on the defendant’s phone, as well as several chats relating to the financial case.

During prosecution investigations, the Australian defendant allegedly confessed to making contact with people and ordering them to hurt the Canadian and his family and negotiating over the civil case. It is also claimed he said that the victim would settle for Dh9m.

The investor allegedly said to the Canadian that he was powerful because he is related to the president of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyro, and that he can hurt him.

Both men denied charges in court on Tuesday.

The next hearing is on August 22.