Dawood aide Motiwala raises entrapment to avoid extradition

LONDON: Experts in entrapment from Pakistan and the US are due to depose in favour of Pakistani national Jabir Motiwala, an alleged aide of mob boss Dawood Ibrahim, who was arrested in London in August on behalf of American authorities seeking his extradition.

Motiwala appeared by video link from Wandsworth prison during a case management hearing in the Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday. Magistrate T Ikram set the next hearing for November 12 and a three-day full hearing from February 25, when the experts will depose.

Toby Cadman, the lawyer appearing for Motiwala, said inquiries need to be made in Pakistan while seeking time for the next hearing and arranging the deposition by experts from Pakistan and the US.

Motiwala, who identified himself as Siddiq, claimed he was entrapped during an FBI operation. According to his defence, he is a law abiding citizen based in Karachi. The Pakistan high commission supported his bail application at the last hearing in August, but it was denied.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, which is acting on behalf of US authorities, Motiwala is accused of laundering $1.4 million worth of proceeds from narcotics smuggling, among other charges that date back to 2011 and 2012.

Judge Ikram said no bail application has been made and asked Motiwala to appear again by video link on November 12, when key issues in the extradition case will be presented by both sides.

MOTIWALA APPEARED BY VIDEO LINK FROM WANDSWORTH PRISON DURING A HEARING IN WESTMINSTER COURT