As the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI continue to probe Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland deal, a recent report has indicated that his extradition from UAE may have been a “swap” for India’s decision to send back to Dubai Emirati princess Latifa, whose father is Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Asian and European diplomatic sources cited by The Sunday Telegraph point towards Michel’s extradition from UAE as being part of an “exchange”, with one person from legal team of the alleged middleman telling the newspaper, “That there was a swap deal is my understanding too.”
Toby Cadman, the lawyer representing Michel’s family, told The Times of India that the matter will be taken to the United Nations.
“... I can confirm there are serious concerns as to the nature and procedure concerning the extradition from the UAE to India and that will need to be properly scrutinised. It is anticipated that the Indian judicial authorities will recognise that there is no proper legal basis to hold Mr Michel and he should be discharged immediately and allowed to return to the UK.”Toby Cadman to The Times of India
Princess Latifa tried to escape UAE in March after complaining she was effectively being held prisoner by her repressive father.
Regarding the matter, ‘Detained in Dubai’ CEO Radha Sterling reportedly said Michel’s “expedited extradition may well be a gesture of reciprocal appreciation by the UAE for India’s role in the abduction and return of Princess Latifa back to the Emirates.”
Michel was arrested in the UAE and extradited to India on 4 December. Currently, he is in judicial custody.
(With inputs from The Times of India.)
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