Lawyer's plea for Deyaar chief

DUBAI // A lawyer for Deyaar's former chief executive accused of a multi-million dirham fraud yesterday told a court it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute the case. ZS, a 43-year-old American, is being prosecuted with eight other defendants before Dubai Misdemeanours Court on charges of defrauding the developer Deyaar of a total of Dh240 million (US$65.3m).

Ali al Shamsi said his client was accused of misappropriating US$13m of the total amount. However, he said, ZS made the company US$25m profit by investing the US$13m in Turkey. "If there was a crime your honour, and we are not stating there was one, it is out of this court's jurisdiction and should be investigated in Turkey," he said Earlier, the lawyer had requested the case be transferred from the Dubai Misdemeanours Court to the higher Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance, where there are more outstanding charges.

ZS denies charges of breach of trust, swindling, defrauding, forgery and using fake documents, revealing Deyaar's confidential information, and aiding and abetting a crime. The other defendants are 60-year-old Argentine JM, 49-year-old Indian manager JK, Indian manager JD, 39, each of whom is charged with forgery and the use of forged documents, swindling, deception and aiding and abetting a crime.

The Deyaar executives GP, 31, and 29-year-old NS, both from Indian, 38-year-old Lebanon national CB and 24-year-old Pakistani salesman HS have been charged with forgery and aiding and abetting a crime. Closing arguments are to continue on August 15 when lawyers representing the remaining clients will present their case along with the lawyers for Essam al Tamimi and Co, which is representing Deyaar in a civil action.

Deyaar is claiming an additional Dh240m in damages. amustafa@thenational.ae

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Lawyer's plea for Deyaar chief

A lawyer for Deyaar's former chief executive accused of a multi-million dirham fraud yesterday told a court it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute the case.

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