LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain was released on bail Wednesday evening after refusing to answer questions of detectives from Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command unit by opting for “no comment”.
A source told Geo News that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised the police sufficient evidence didn’t exist in the file placed before the prosecutors and charged couldn’t be allowed until further evidence is furnished.
Hussain will remain on police bail at his home address, bail conditions will apply on him 24-hours and he will be returning to the same police station after about six weeks.
At the Southwark Police Station, Hussain’s interview started at 10 pm on Tuesday night and continued for two hours till midnight. The MQM founder only confirmed his name, date of birth and his residential address. Onwards, he refused to answer questions of the police and decided to go for “no comment” option in response to all questions asked by the detectives, credible source.
Altaf Hussain’s lawyers, present on the occasion, advised Hussain not to answer questions of the police. They told the police that their client will answer questions only before an independent judge and jury if charged and not before the police.
The source revealed the interview was stopped at midnight after Hussain complained of pain in his chest and that he wasn’t feeling well. The interview started again at 10am BST (2pm PST) and finished at 2pm. An hour later, he was released on police bail pending further inquiries.
The lawyer for the Government of Pakistan Toby Cadman had informed Geo News that according to the material he has seen, there is sufficient evidence to charge MQM founder Altaf Hussain.
UK-based Cadman was hired by the Government of Pakistan for representation in MQM-related cases.
“I have seen the evidence, I have reviewed all the evidence from Pakistani authorities and I can say that it presents a compelling case. It is my assessment that there is sufficient evidence to charge Altaf Hussain on a number of counts,” Cadman told this scribe.
