Abraaj founder’s lawyers argue UK is more appropriate venue for trial and cite suicide risk – The National

Abraaj founder’s lawyers argue UK is more appropriate venue for trial and cite suicide risk – The National

Abraaj founder's lawyers argue UK is more appropriate venue for trial and cite suicide risk. "The defence invite the court to discharge Mr Naqvi on two grounds, namely that: Mr Naqvi's extradition is barred by reason of forum and his extradition would be incompatible with Article 3, ECHR (European Convention of Human Rights)," according to the defence's skeleton argument seen by The National.. Mr Naqvi, 59, was arrested in the UK last year, where he is out on bail.. If extradited to the US and convicted he faces 291 years in jail, which his lawyers said "would amount to an effective life sentence.". Mr Siddiqui also explained that, "the US was of little or no significance to Abraaj although it became more important in terms of seeking investment into the Abraaj Global Healthcare Fund and the Abraaj Private Equity Fund VI".. Mr Naqvi's lawyers argue that Abraaj's Global Investment Committee, which had the last say over investment decisions, was chaired by him, and that he resided mostly in London alongside a former managing partner, Sev (Sivendran) Vettivetpillai, also in London.. Mr Naqvi's lawyers also argue that Abraaj's investor coverage team, which drew up the marketing material used for pitching investments