Defendant in Deyaar case denies two new charges

Two new charges were brought against the first defendant yesterday in a case of illegal profiteering in real estate major Deyaar, which he denied.

Two UAE nationals – SA, a former Deyaar board member, and IJ, a businessman who is at large – are accused of harming Deyaar's interests and profiting Dh11.75 million in the case named Deyaar 2, which is one of multiple cases involving Deyaar.

Yesterday, the fist defendant's lawyers presented his defence and the court also modified the charges. According to the new charges, after SA was assigned to perform a public service and maintain Deyaar's funds, the court said he intentionally harmed the company's interests to obtain personal profits. He also allegedly obtained other direct benefits and commissions for himself and others. SA denied the new charges and the court decided to adjourn the case to March 14 when the verdict will be announced.

Arguing his client's case yesterday, Habib Al Mulla, SA's lawyer, said Deyaar did not have the right to intervene in criminal charges brought against the victim and its rights were restricted to a civil case. He also said an authorisation issued by Deyaar to lawyer Abdulmonem Suwaidan was invalid since it was not signed by Deyaar's chairman.

Al Mulla also pointed to two letters sent by the Dubai Ruler's office to the public prosecution. The first letter dealt with government bodies whose staff is considered public servants; Deyaar was not included in the letter. The second letter said the first defendant was not assigned to perform a public service.

Justifying the first defendant's obtaining of Dh11.750 million, the defence confirmed the two defendants were in business partnership. So it was argued that it was natural that financial transfers would take place from the bank account of one to the other. Al Mulla said bribery did not take place since this crime required the employee to have a certain power in his job and a specialised position that he could use to bestow privileges to another party.

According to documents and testimonies of witnesses, all the powers of Deyaar's board were given to the board chairman, he said. Therefore, there were no powers given to the first defendant, even regarding the Marina plot, which is related to the case.

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