Bail runs out: Altaf to appear before Scotland Yard today
Appearance will reveal whether he has been charged with or cleared of money laundering
Farooq Sattar. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM /EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain will appear before the British authorities today (Monday) in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged money-laundering.
With the extension of his bail – granted to him for the fourth time in July – ending on October 5, he will have to appear at a South London police station 11am today.
Regarding speculation that the MQM chief may be charged with money laundering today, the party’s spokesperson said they will deal with the situation in accordance with the law and constitution if that happens. “We cannot comment on this right now, and would only be able to say something once the interview ends,” he said.
Three days before Altaf’s due questioning by the UK police, the MQM released a statement confirming that he would be brought to the police station to be ‘further interviewed’. The statement said that Altaf and the MQM deny any involvement in money laundering. The party also claimed that Altaf’s life is in danger in London, and conspiracies have been hatched to eliminate him.
The MQM chief has been a part of money laundering investigations after the Scotland Yard recovered a huge amount of cash from his residence and office in June 2013. He was arrested a year later and released after questioning. No formal charges have so far been pressed against him.
Today’s appearance before the UK police would reveal if Altaf has been charged, his bail extended or he has been cleared from the allegations.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2015.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain will appear before the British authorities today (Monday) in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged money-laundering.
With the extension of his bail – granted to him for the fourth time in July – ending on October 5, he will have to appear at a South London police station 11am today.
Regarding speculation that the MQM chief may be charged with money laundering today, the party’s spokesperson said they will deal with the situation in accordance with the law and constitution if that happens. “We cannot comment on this right now, and would only be able to say something once the interview ends,” he said.
Three days before Altaf’s due questioning by the UK police, the MQM released a statement confirming that he would be brought to the police station to be ‘further interviewed’. The statement said that Altaf and the MQM deny any involvement in money laundering. The party also claimed that Altaf’s life is in danger in London, and conspiracies have been hatched to eliminate him.
The MQM chief has been a part of money laundering investigations after the Scotland Yard recovered a huge amount of cash from his residence and office in June 2013. He was arrested a year later and released after questioning. No formal charges have so far been pressed against him.
Today’s appearance before the UK police would reveal if Altaf has been charged, his bail extended or he has been cleared from the allegations.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2015.