MQM leader nabbed in London over money laundering suspicion
*Metropolitan Police officers from Counter Terrorism Command arrest Muhammad Anwar from his home in northwest London early morning

LONDON: London Police on Wednesday arrested Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Muhammad Anwar on suspicion of money laundering.

A press statement issued by the MQM shortly after Anwar’s arrest said the party leader was arrested from his London home Wednesday morning and was currently being interviewed at the police station.

“Our understanding is that this is part of the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing investigation into allegations of money laundering,” the statement reads.

“MQM firmly denies any suggestion of money laundering. We will continue to cooperate with the police and continue to hope for a timely conclusion of this matter.”

MQM has reportedly decided to send its legal team from Karachi to assist lawyers in London to pursue the case. Anwar lives in London and his association with party chief Altaf Hussain spans over two decades. He is a member of the MQM’s coordination committee.

The London Metropolitan police confirmed the arrest of a 64-year-old man from northwest London on suspicion of money laundering in a statement issued on the Met Police website.

While the Met Police did not name the arrested man, the website stated that “officers from the Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) arrested a suspect from his residence and officers are presently searching the address”.

According to the statement, the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case. The identity of arrested man was not disclosed by the British authorities, however the MQM said that the detainee is Muhammad Anwar.

Five other people previously arrested in connection with the investigation into money laundering are on police bail.

The Met Police press release also gives details of the previous arrests:

[A] aged 73 and [B] aged 44, were arrested on 5 December 2013 on suspicion of money laundering and are on police bail to dates in April.

[C] aged 61 was arrested on 3 June 2014 on suspicion of money laundering and is on police bail to a date in April.

On 12 January [D] aged 41 attended a police station in Greater Manchester by appointment where he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and later released on police bail to a date in April. On 17 February [E] aged 27 attended a police station in Suffolk where he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and later released on police bail to a date in April. Meanwhile, Anwar has reportedly been released on bail.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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