London police interview Altaf Hussain in money-laundering case

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain appeared at a London police station on Tuesday to be interviewed in an ongoing money-laundering investigation after his bail expired in the case.

Hussain was arrested on June 3 last year on suspicion of money laundering. He was subsequently released from police custody in July and his bail was extended again in December until April 14, 2015.

Geo News London correspondent Murtaza Ali Shah reported that the MQM chief had arrived at the central London police station for his appointment, scheduled for 10am London time.

The Metropolitan Police informed Mr Hussain of developments in the money-laundering case at the start of the interview process.

Sources told Geo News that two Scotland Yard interrogators were interviewing Hussain at the Southwark Police Station.

Scotland Yard told Geo News they were aware that Altaf Hussain was being interviewed but were awaiting an update from the investigators.

Scotland Yard added that a decision will be made by Crown Prosecution Service not the police to charge or bail Altaf Hussain and hopefully this will be done today.

A statement issued on the MQM’s website said as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of money-laundering, the founder and leader of MQM Mr Altaf Hussain was bailed to return to a central London police station.

Mr Hussain arrived at Southwark Police Station by appointment at 10am London time and is currently being interviewed by officers from the British Metropolitan Police. MQM denies any involvement in money-laundering.

According to sources, the MQM chief has been advised by his legal team to answer ‘no comment’ to questions asked by the police during the interview process.



The MQM chief was accompanied by a team of lawyers and members of the MQM’s central coordination committee (Rabita Committee), including senior leader Mohammad Anwar and Babar Ghauri.

A legal representative accompanied Hussain inside while MQM leader waited outside the police station.

Rashid Aslam, a London-based legal expert, told Geo News that Hussain will be interviewed and his bail may or may not extended, depending on the evidence available with the Metropolitan Police.

“Police looks at every minor piece of evidence before it decides to either charge a suspect or free him. It is possible that police may interview Hussain at the station today and will act further, depending on the evidence and outcome of the interview,” he said.

In a speech to workers Monday night, the MQM founder said he hoped for the best but said that whatever happens will be God's will.

Hussain, who resides in London in self-imposed exile, gained British citizenship after leaving Pakistan in 2002 during a controversial military operation in Karachi.