LONDON: The Metropolitan Police have identified no new line of inquiry after assessing the material passed on to it about the money laundering investigation against Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s founder Altaf Hussain, it was confirmed on Friday.

Police said the National Terrorist Financial Unit (NTFI) assessed the material that the Pakistani government had sent to them after the investigation was closed here in October 2016.

“In October 2016 the suspects in the case were advised that there would be no criminal prosecution following a police investigation and advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. All lines of inquiry have been exhausted, including international inquiries,” a Metropolitan (Met) police spokesman said.

“Since then, officers from the Met’s National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit have been passed further material in relation to that money laundering investigation, which has all been assessed and no additional lines of inquiry identified,” he added.

After investigating the MQM leader and his associates for nearly three years, the police dropped the case after the Crown Prosecution Service advised the police that it didn’t have sufficient evidence to charge the suspects.

It’s understood that the police presented the file before the CPS on three occasions seeking charges but the CPS assessment found that prospects for bringing successful prosecution were minimum and the Met accepted that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the money seized was the proceeds of crime or was intended for use in unlawful conduct.

The case against the MQM founder started in 2012 when Scotland Yard officers raided the MQM offices and found cash hidden in cupboards.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...