India
UAE to Extradite British National Wanted by India in AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper Scam
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As Dubai's top court has upheld the lower court’s ruling, it has become the final decision. However, an approval from the UAE Minister of Justice is required to start the extradition procedure.
Dubai’s top court has ordered extradition of British national and alleged middleman in the Rs.3600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.
According to a report in the Khaleej Times, on Nov.19, the Court of Cassation dismissed the appeals filed by Christian James Michel’s lawyers while upholding the lower court’s order, which stated that he can be extradited.
A bench consisted of judges Abdelaziz Al Zarouni, Musabeh Thaaloub, Mostafa Al Shinawi, Mahmoud Sultan and another judge pronounced the ruling.
Michel, 54, is currently lodged in Dubai’s jail since his arrest. The news of Dubai’s court ruling regarding his extradition was not confirmed by any official source in New Delhi immediately, reported PTI.
Abdul Moneim Bin Suwaidan, Michel’s lawyer submitted some documents before the court saying that courts in Switzerland and Italy had ruled against his client’s extradition.
Dubai’s apex court was told, “the judicial authorities there concluded there was no criminal element in the case.”
He also said that extradition of Michel will be a “violation” of the treaty signed between India and UAE, the publication reported.
Bin Suwaidan also argued that proper procedures were not followed by Indian authorities while requesting Michel’s extradition.
“The request should have been filed by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs rather than its Ministry of External Affairs,” Khaleej Times quoted the lawyer as telling the court.
Terming the procedure flawed for not complying with the norms of the treaty, he said that lower court’s order should be reversed.
Since the top court of Dubai has upheld the lower court’s ruling, it has become the final decision. However, an approval from UAE Minister of Justice is required to start the extradition, the newspaper said.
Michel allegedly organized bribes for Indian ministers and top defense officials in order to win a 2010 contract for the supply of 12 AW101 helicopters for AgustaWestland, an Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer. The helicopters were to be used to ferry top leaders.