RAK refutes Massaad's claims of being unaware of allegations

Ras Al Khaimah - RAK also said Massaad claims to be a Swiss national, but he holds at least three other passports including Lebanese, Georgian and Kyrgyzstani

The Government of Ras Al Khaimah, in an official statement, has turned down the allegations of Khater Massaad, the Swiss businessman who is facing fraud charges and is detained in Saudi Arabia under a GCC Warrant.
"It is not true that Massaad was not aware of the allegations charged against him. On numerous occasions, representatives of the government of Ras Al Khaimah have met with him and his lawyers to discuss the allegations," the statement said.
The findings of several investigations into his conduct as a senior civil servant in charge of RAK public funds, investments and other assets have also been set out, according to the statement. "In these meetings, and at all times, he (Massaad) and his lawyers rejected the opportunity to review the matters raised or present his case."
With regards to the criminal case held in his absence in Ras Al Khaimah, full due process was followed including the publication of the claims in a national paper, which Massaad acknowledged by contacting the government and raising an objection to, the RAK government underlined.
"It is clear that any assertion that Massaad had no knowledge of the existence of the allegations or the case against him is disingenuous and false."
Massaad claims to be a Swiss national, but he holds at least three other passports including Lebanese, Georgian and Kyrgyzstan. He operates under a series of passports of convenience, as he is doing now, they pointed out.
"It is a fact that there are ongoing criminal investigations into the conduct of Massaad and his associates in a number of jurisdictions including India, Switzerland and Georgia as places where the malfeasance occurred for which he faces criminal charges."
Any suggestion that the judiciary in the UAE or the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is not independent is strongly rejected, they asserted.
"The arrest warrant is in respect of Massaad's conviction in the UAE for a number of frauds and criminal activity for which he was tried and convicted by the UAE criminal court in October 2015," the RAK government earlier told Khaleej Times in an official statement.
His conviction was in absentia after he fled the country, they added. "The warrant included additional allegations of substantial fraud and diversion of public monies in relation to an alleged multi-million dollar fraud regarding his activities when he was CEO of Rakia in relation to Rakia's sale of Poti Sea Port in Georgia. We will work with the Saudi authorities to ensure Khater Massaad returns to the UAE to stand trial."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah