UK government may seize Nawaz Sharif’s London properties
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LONDON – Global anti-corruption body Transparency International requested the UK government must probe Nawaz Sharif’s properties in London.
Following the sentencing of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on corruption charges related to four London properties, the anti-corruption body tweeted that the UK government must now investigate those assets and no longer provide a safe haven for Sharif and his family.
In his press release, the organization said that if a UK investigation concludes that the properties have been bought with corrupt money, then the authorities should move to seize the assets. Transparency International also calls on UK law enforcement to investigate any further property in the UK owned by the Sharif family. Earlier, Sharif was sentenced to ten years in prison for owning assets beyond his income, whilst his daughter received seven years for her role. In 2016 the Panama Papers exposed links between several members of the Sharif family and offshore companies that were allegedly used to purchase London property.
The non-profit organization (NGO) also demanded the UK government not allow the Sharifs to take refuge in England.
“We are calling on the UK authorities to investigate the London-based assets identified in this conviction and ensure that Sharif and his family are no longer able to enjoy any luxury homes that are found to have been bought with the proceeds of corruption,” UK Transparency International Advocacy Head Rachel Davies Teka said.
“Furthermore we believe the UK must look into any other potentially criminal UK based assets owned by the Sharif family,” he added.