Authorities will have to prove I deposited money into fictitious bank accounts: Zardari
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PPP-Parliamentarians President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said the authorities will have to "prove that [he] went to open fictitious bank accounts in the name of some milkman or sweetmeat seller, only then can a case be registered against [him]", Geo News reported.
Talking to Geo News, Zardari continued by saying: "Even then, I can defend the case: 'Yes I have deposited money in this account, it is my wish'."
When the show host, Hamid Mir, repeated the same for clarification and asked the former president, "What about the poor fellow who has no idea about any of this?", Zardari responded by saying: "Then it is his fault."
Stunned by the response, when Mir inquired to be sure: "It is his fault?", Zardari replied with a quick: "It is the bank's fault."
The Supreme Court on September 6 had formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe alleged laundering of billions of rupees through fake bank accounts in connivance with bankers and others to several suspected beneficiaries, including former president Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.
Zardari, Talpur and several of their business associates are currently being probed as part of a 2015 case regarding fake accounts and fictitious transactions — which were initially found to have totalled Rs35 billion — conducted through 29 ‘benami’ accounts in Summit Bank, Sindh Bank, and UBL.
As the conversation turned to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and the prime minister's recent speech where he had vowed "no corrupt person will get an NRO", Zardari quipped: "He [PM Imran Khan] has a habit of saying things."
When Mir remarked in a questioning tone: "[Has he] gone too far and said too much?", Zardari responded by reiterating that the prime minister "is habitual of saying too much".
"We had told him to behave like an executive and to desist from opposition politics and let us worry about the opposition," Zardari told Mir.
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On DawnNews
Comments (87) Closed
Nov 01, 2018 09:54pm
It’s always the fault of poor I guess who elect you and make you make a mockery of them. He’s so confident while having no respect for the position he once held nor for the poor nation which is going door to door to ask for money.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:05pm
Now latest Mr Zardari has offered cooperation for not his personal sake, but for the sake of democracy. Grab that offer, look forward, move ahead.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:06pm
Zardari will have to prove who deposited this money if not him. But I feel captured parrots will spill the beans.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:07pm
Totally shameless, and he was the President for five years!!! These are our leaders? What has Pakistan done to get leaders like Asif Zardari?
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Nov 01, 2018 10:07pm
Money does not carry owners identity but, there are other ways and means to find the necessary leading pointers. About two decades back, I had a chance of reading an article in an African newspaper about a private portfolio manager who specialized and catered to the needs of people having huge sums of monies for investments in productive ventures of discrete identities, covert from the probing eyes of the world watch-dogs. I was surprised to find the name of the spouse of our lady PM at that times, who was a client of that PPM and invested his fortunes through him, in some very secluded South American places.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:10pm
Summit Bank, Sindh Ban and UBL should be fined heavily for opening fake accounts or closed down. No wonder Pakistani banking system is not trusted internationally.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:14pm
So it means you did it and left no proof
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Nov 01, 2018 10:18pm
He didn't say he didn't do it; all he said was to prove it. He is one honest criminal
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Nov 01, 2018 10:21pm
Yes, he didn't go to the bank and deposited in the bank account. He is right. He only asked the contractors to deposit his 20% for getting the contract into a fake account so his people can move it around and later transfer outside.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:21pm
hilarious
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Nov 01, 2018 10:22pm
No th eonus should rest upon you to show its come from legitimate sources.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:22pm
Zardaris arrogance,intransigence and contempt of law shows plainly across all his conversations!There has to be accountability without any way out like NRO!
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Nov 01, 2018 10:27pm
I like this mans picture, the smile says everything .
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Nov 01, 2018 10:38pm
He doesn't care he's corrupt.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:43pm
No person who steal or commit a crime accept his or her wrongdoings, so, like Nawaz Sharif, now Asif Zarari is saying 'where is the proof' of my fake accounts and transferring money in those accounts. I say, apply Saudi or Chinese model and all will admit their corrupt activities and reveal their looted money, otherwise, all these cases will linger on for a long time without any resolution.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:53pm
Pakistani liberals please keep supporting PPP, PML(N)
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Nov 01, 2018 10:54pm
The Government has only got to prove intent on the part of Zardari to launder money and he will go away for a long time.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:54pm
Sure, you will not have to go yourself to the banks with bundles of cash to deposit. There are enough of your assistants to to do it for you.
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Nov 01, 2018 10:58pm
I wish he had put a few billions in my account :)
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Nov 01, 2018 10:59pm
What else do you expect from Zardari. The man changed the definition of Money Laundering and is proud to do that because he knows his illiterate followers will continue to vote for him and his rubber stamps in rural Sindh. However, I must admit that Bilawal has been much more mature in his speeches at Parliament than most of our seasoned politicians. People like Zardai, Abid Sher Ali, and Nawaz Sharif are the black dots in our country and must be rooted out from our politics.
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Nov 01, 2018 11:03pm
Sir, your 'FREINDS' - you referred them in a press conference other day - did the job for you !!!
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Nov 01, 2018 11:05pm
Apply Saudi or Chinese model and, all will tell how much money they have looted and how they transferred - there is no other way to recover billions of $'s.
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Nov 01, 2018 11:21pm
Zardari has admitted that the benam deposits are his. What else does the government want.
Put him behind bars and throw the keys away.
But before putting him in prison lash him a few dozen times so he knows what it feels to be hungry and suffer.
What is going on in Pakistan when crooks like Zardari can flaunt the will of people and government.
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Nov 01, 2018 11:26pm
Is the law of Pakistan so weak that all looters can get away for the lack of proof. It should be the duty of Zardari and his sister to prove how did money was transferred into their account and why. The Judiciary should not merely accept that it is his money and his wish. It is just like accepting the statement of Galani that he doesn't own a car where as media exposed expensive cars parked in his compound.
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Nov 01, 2018 11:28pm
Team has to proof link of accounts with Z which is difficult task for jit
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Nov 01, 2018 11:36pm
Very honest criminal !!!!
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Nov 01, 2018 11:37pm
Extremely honest criminal !!
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Nov 01, 2018 11:37pm
He is saying this with confidence because he is controlling and hiding all evidence.
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Nov 01, 2018 11:38pm
No one can prove Zardari deposited the money!!
He is a thorough professional !!
Any one who can prove will get a reward !!!
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Nov 01, 2018 11:49pm
.... this is the person whom we as a nation trusted to guide us out of problems , truly sickening!
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Nov 01, 2018 11:50pm
All Pakistanis now know very well that Zardari does not leave any evidence after commiting theft....
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Nov 01, 2018 11:56pm
Either it is accepted or not the reality is that PPP is the
most corrupt party in Pakistan.
Sorry, but true the shameless and corrupt people are
with this party, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, Ms. Faryal Talpur,
Mr. Bilawal Zardari, etc.
This party is a curse on Pakistan and Pakistanis.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:00am
Asif Zardari is right, he was not so stupid to put his name on the bank accounts? He is master of wheeling and dealing and knows all the tricks of corruption trade. Still investigators must get after those whose names were on the accounts, they will soon squeal and divulge who was behind this corruption. Use technology, its easy just use "polygraph" lie detector tests so the truth can be established and those guilty are punished.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:09am
Then the people with money in the money in their account without their knowledge the we should two things
1 - Let them enjoy the money with paying taxes to the govt,
2 - Donate the entire proceed to the Dam fund/
What say you.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:13am
@Suleman, we get what we deserve,
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Nov 02, 2018 12:25am
AZ is very proud of his genius money laundering techniques then how can one catch him red handed.Just waterboard the bank managers of the fack account banks they will regurgitate all the evil genius formulas of this genius man.But do it,b4 these mangers are killed to delete the live prove of the money transfer abroad.You got very little time.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:33am
@Suleman,
Mr. Suleman,
Also not Pakistanis, unfortunately.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:35am
You dont personally go to deposit money. Your partners in crime do it for you as per your directions.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:37am
@ExMohajirUK,
Mr. ExMohajirUK,
You are right.
The majority of the people in Pakistan is also corrupt.
This is a bitter truth. Alas.
Just imagine, the people cast their votes in favor of
world known criminal and corrupt parties PML-N and
PPP.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:38am
@TQ, That was a hilarious comment!
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Nov 02, 2018 12:49am
@Suleman, best way. Banks should be fined.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:51am
Mr. Zardari it will help this country if you would return the looted wealth....remember what goes around comes around
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Nov 02, 2018 12:52am
Politicians usually deceive masses through multiple tactics. Zardari is living example of it.
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Nov 02, 2018 12:59am
@Suleman,
Mr. Suleman,
The people deserve this.
Don't you think so?
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Nov 02, 2018 01:01am
Yea right. Like they will be searching your fingerprints on printed money. So please name someone in Pakistan other than Sharifs who could laundered this amount of money? Govt got witnesses and fingers are pointed at you dear! Why don’t you want to return money and live a peaceful life? As you mentioned, you’re already 64!
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Nov 02, 2018 01:02am
@Magnanimous approach, Who would care about his offer? Off to return money which is in billions of $$
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Nov 02, 2018 01:07am
@Syed F. Ali,
Mr. Syed F. Ali,
You are supporting Mr. Bilawal Zardari who himself
corrupt and has inherited monies and properties by
earning of corruptions.
His speech?
So what?
Has he even given a single speech on the corruptions
of Bhuttos, Zardaris, Talpurs, Memons, Shah, cronies,
corrupts and culprits of PPP?
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Nov 02, 2018 01:13am
It is hard to prove financial corruption, and I agree with Zardari that the complainants have to prove the charges that he has deposited the amount in the fictitious accounts opened in the name of people from different walks of life. I think, this is a political motivated case, just to return the attention of people from the poor performance delivery of the Government. But if State is serious in eradicating corruption from the country, it must have to make very serious efforts to nab all corrupt without any distinction.
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Nov 02, 2018 01:17am
I am too smart for you fools.
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Nov 02, 2018 01:18am
Mr Zardari could do a great favour by helping the present government and people of Pakistan to get that frozen money in Swiss banks, back in Pakistan for desperate useful purposes and thereby leave a legacy for the next generation.
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Nov 02, 2018 01:21am
Never say never.
You can fool some of the people, some of the time, but not all the people, all the time.
Even Al Capone was untouchable because prosecutors could not gather proof of his racketeering, But they got him in the end, on an unrelated charge of Tax Evasion, which saw him rot in jail for rest of his life. So have faith.Law of averages will catch up with you too. Don't get too comfortable.
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Nov 02, 2018 01:23am
@TQ, ..but he can't trust you.
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Nov 02, 2018 01:35am
Don't worry Zardari Sahib, your wish will cone true....the government will prove that you deposited money into the accounts. Wash that smirk off your face now!
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Nov 02, 2018 01:46am
This is openly admitting it is me the gangster catch me if you can! An open challenge from Zardari. Keep voting PPP Sindhio!
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Nov 02, 2018 02:04am
@Hafiz Munir, only if the parrots stay alive. most will be killed.
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Nov 02, 2018 02:05am
This is the reason why we are on FATF list. Zardari Sahab still think that Awaam can be manipulated with his statements
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Nov 02, 2018 02:10am
@Masood, let one of his encounter specialists encounter him, as he flashes his fake smile PR images
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Nov 02, 2018 02:45am
Zardari has to prove he did not deposited money in his account but when he found out money into his account, he should have informed the bank authorities.,
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Nov 02, 2018 02:52am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, Well said brother. But looking back, he has been through this as accused in the past too & all such cases, were eventually quashed one after the other by our courts. Realistically speaking, it will take a Herculean effort to adopt and implement Saudi or Chinese model to deal with our corrupt through an Act of parliament, certainly not during present govt.’s tenure which has a thin majority & sustaining because of its coalition partners support. Any such change requiring 2/3 rd vote of the lower house under the present circumstances, shall remain to be pipe dream. On the contrary, this long drawn battle between those honest, not many so far, & tainted others, can be tilted in favor of our national interest, provided general public is made aware of their rights & duties through a mass awareness program so that the criteria of electing the same corrupt lot to the parliament could be altered. Unless that is not done, we will remain salves of this rotten system.
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Nov 02, 2018 03:04am
there you go. guilty as charged, his responses shows and its always the case with these thieves is "prove it" instead "i'm not guilty. its a lie". !
and the NRO talk, they are working hard behind the doors to get an NRO. maybe pay some small amount and get out with the loot. IK is not budging and wants the full amount or at least 80% back. this constant demand for reveal the name who is asking for NRO is pressuring IK.
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Nov 02, 2018 03:27am
@NACParis, not the law , rather implementation.
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Nov 02, 2018 03:28am
@Suleman, even zardari junior has accounts in these three banks .
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Nov 02, 2018 03:29am
Mr. President, Authorities will catch the Bank Officers, and the account holder on the recipient end, and that's you and you only.
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Nov 02, 2018 03:34am
His arrogance speaks volume and indicates that he is a well seasoned criminal. We demand justice and accountability of billions he stole. The present government shall not let him go off the hook.
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Nov 02, 2018 03:47am
Shareefs and Zardaris never say ' I did not do it'. They always say ' you have to prove it' as they know they did everything without a written proof though logically anyone can prove it. Good riddance , at least they are out of power for now. People , their voters, may wakeup from their deep slumber and realize that they were robbed.
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Nov 02, 2018 04:24am
Zardari is a very clever man, he does not leave his foot prints anywhere, very difficult to convict him but one of these days he will leave all kinds of his prints back and get caught off guarded.
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Nov 02, 2018 05:02am
Love or hate these past leaders remember always that it is the public who vote them in.
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Nov 02, 2018 05:13am
That means catch me if you can.......
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Nov 02, 2018 05:35am
Catch me if you can.
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Nov 02, 2018 05:47am
Bottom line where did you get all this money to buy properties in London England ? How much was your salary and other income.You are nothing but Mr. 10% on every deal government made during your time.
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Nov 02, 2018 05:50am
Mr. Zardari is correct; the prosecutor must prove that he or someone else on his behalf deposited the funds. But by the same token, he must reveal the source and the amount of his annual income, and as a proof, he should disclose his tax returns. Authorities should confiscate all the properties of Mr. Zardari's if the value of the estate in access to his income declared in the tax returns. If found guilty of fraud, he should be made to pay through the nose in addition to the seizure of the properties.
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Nov 02, 2018 06:01am
Zardari outwitted the law -simple.
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Nov 02, 2018 06:18am
@zardari sb...I have just messaged you my bank account details. Kindly deposit
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Nov 02, 2018 06:52am
Shame on you Mr. Zardari, Chori oopar say sina zori.
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Nov 02, 2018 06:54am
Imran Khan is tackling the major problems one by one.He is now buzy in supplementing balance of payment deficits.Once financially strong he will recover the looted money from so called genius corrupt politicians that they won't have time to play any cards.
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Nov 02, 2018 07:00am
forget who deposited that. where it end up ie account. why is nab quiet about this?
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Nov 02, 2018 07:15am
Zardari shows arrogance and is despicable about the system. But it will catch up with him.
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Nov 02, 2018 07:27am
Remember mr zarradari ,your friend zilfiquar Mirza, he kept the suger mills! If you do not exposed the people's that you deposited the money in their accounts, they may keep the money! So, do the right thing, make a donation to dam funds!
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Nov 02, 2018 07:40am
@Suleman, you are so correct . As a nation we should be ashamed of our selection and we curse Americans by choosing Trump ! We have no right to say since Zardari is worst . Wish he will be arrested soon and stay in prison instead Ziauddin hospital .
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Nov 02, 2018 08:30am
It's not easy to catch master planner. After all he has the distinction of being leading crook in our history.
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Nov 02, 2018 08:58am
I have a feeling these statements are going to come back to bite him in the back. He is saying things out of arrogance and trickery but does not realize the winds of change blowing around him.
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Nov 02, 2018 09:12am
If the money has no owners .the money should go to the state unless the owners can justify that they acquired the money through honest means
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Nov 02, 2018 09:51am
Good news for reading time will be saved
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Nov 02, 2018 09:58am
Whosoever deposited, the money should be seen and used for the construction of Dams .
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Nov 02, 2018 11:07am
@ZH, Zardari family has 80,000 acres of agricultural land, regardless of the yellow journalism snippets roaming around since the late 80's he comes from a wealthy family, and proving the source wont be n issue for him.
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Nov 02, 2018 11:58am
We need to do what Singapore did ...... the onus of proof of no wrongdoing was shifted to criminal.
Our criminal laws were carefully tuned in our assemblies by these very same people to safeguard themselves.....that is why he is so smug.
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Nov 03, 2018 07:03am
the key is to know where money was deposited oversees. Without that case will fall apart.
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