POLICE must first establish that they have the 44 pieces of jewellery owned by Global Royalty Trading SAL before they can assert the valuables have been seized under anti-money laundering laws, said a lawyer representing the Lebanese firm.
Lawyer David Gurupatham told The Malaysian Insight police must respect a court order and establish if they have the 44 pieces.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court last week ordered the government to disclose whether it had seized the 44 pieces of jewellery, comprising a tiara, diamond necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings.
The 44 pieces are believed to be among the 12,000 pieces of jewellery seized from the premises linked to former prime minister Najib Razak in raids conducted after the 14th general election.
“Only after this has been established, then they can assert the claim to seizure under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Once that is done, then the lawful process will take its course,” the lawyer said.
Gurupatham was commenting on a statement by Inspector-General of Police Fuzi Harun earlier today that parties who say they have rights over any of the 12,000 pieces of jewellery seized must first prove the items belong to them.
The police chief then urged Beirut-based Global Royalty Trading SAL to cooperate and allow a statement to be recorded.
Lebanese jeweller Samer Halimeh is suing Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, for failing to pay RM60 million for the jewellery allegedly seized in the raids.
The court had urged the government to come back within two weeks with an affidavit in reply and to seek Rosmah’s help in identifying the items. It also set March 4 and 5 next year for trial after throwing out Rosmah’s bid to strike out the suit by Halimeh.
Gurupatham believed the jeweller has a strong case: “Naturally, the jeweller will prove ownership. That’s why he is in court in the first place.”
“The jeweller has been cooperating with the police, has given what they required. Once the police can established that these specific 44 pieces had been seized under AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Act), we will naturally proceed further.
“The jeweller wants the return of the jewellery or the value thereof, RM60 million from Rosmah.” he said.
The lawyer also asked if police had questioned Rosmah over the jewellery.
“It is her responsibility. The court had also asked her to cooperate to identify the jewellery since she claimed they were seized.
“I don’t know if she has been called to identify the jewellery or has had her statement taken in this regard.”
Halimeh, whose celebrity clients include Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie, said in an affidavit that he had yet to receive confirmation from police that they had possession of the jewellery in question despite previous requests.
Another jeweller, Dubai-based Adi Hasan AlFardan is also seeking to recover jewellery worth more than US$5 million (RM20.75 million), which were allegedly delivered to Rosmah between December last year and April. He also claims he has not been paid.
Police had confiscated 2,200 rings, 1,400 necklaces, 2,100 bracelets, 2,800 pairs of earrings, 1,600 brooches and 14 tiaras. The haul, which included more than RM100 million in cash, was said to be the biggest in Malaysian history.
The total value of the seizure was valued at RM1.1 billion. – October 24, 2018.
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Comments
The jewellery seizure is a matter between the police, the owner of the premises where the jewellery was seized and the Customs Dept.
If the Lebanese has a matter of interest, he has to file his case in court.
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
The jewellery seizure is a matter between the police, the owner of the premises where the jewellery was seized and the Customs Dept.
If the Lebanese has a matter of interest, he has to file his case in court.
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
The jewellery seizure is a matter between the police, the owner of the premises where the jewellery was seized and the Customs Dept.
If the Lebanese has a matter of interest, he has to file his case in court.
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
The jewellery seizure is a matter between the police, the owner of the premises where the jewellery was seized and the Customs Dept.
If the Lebanese has a matter of interest, he has to file his case in court.
Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by ASK LAZIE · Reply