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Britain Frees Pakistani in Inquiry Britain Frees Pakistani in Inquiry
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — The British police on Saturday released the Pakistani political leader Altaf Hussain, four days after he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, but said that he remained under investigation.LONDON — The British police on Saturday released the Pakistani political leader Altaf Hussain, four days after he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, but said that he remained under investigation.
Mr. Hussain’s release on bail was a relief to his supporters in Karachi, the Pakistani city he has dominated through his party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, for almost three decades.Mr. Hussain’s release on bail was a relief to his supporters in Karachi, the Pakistani city he has dominated through his party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, for almost three decades.
Soon after his release, he addressed supporters who had staged a sit-in on a Karachi street. Speaking by telephone, Mr. Hussain, 60, told them that “the truth must always be spoken,” according to a report on the website of the Pakistani newspaper Dawn. “I am a British citizen and I believe in the British legal system,” said Mr. Hussain, who became a British citizen in 2002. Mr. Hussain, who has ruled his party, and by extension large parts of Karachi, from London since 1992, is believed to be in poor health. Soon after his release, he addressed supporters who had staged a sit-in on a Karachi street. Speaking by telephone, Mr. Hussain, 60, told them that “the truth must always be spoken,” according to a report on the website of the Pakistani newspaper Dawn. “I am a British citizen and I believe in the British legal system,” said Mr. Hussain, who became a British citizen in 2002. He has ruled his party, and by extension large parts of Karachi, from London since 1992, and is believed to be in poor health.
He spent his first three days in custody undergoing previously scheduled medical tests at a hospital in London.He spent his first three days in custody undergoing previously scheduled medical tests at a hospital in London.
Several party officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Mr. Hussain had been under strain as a result of the police investigation. They said that he had gained weight and that his existing heart and kidney ailments had been aggravated. Several party officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Mr. Hussain had been under strain as a result of the police investigation. They said that he had gained weight and that existing heart and kidney ailments had been aggravated.
Mr. Hussain was questioned by the police for nine hours on Friday.Mr. Hussain was questioned by the police for nine hours on Friday.
The investigation stems in part from the seizing of at least $600,000 in cash during raids on Mr. Hussain’s home and office in December 2012 and June 2013. The investigation stems in part from the seizure of at least $600,000 in cash during raids on Mr. Hussain’s home and office in December 2012 and June 2013.
Officials of Mr. Hussain’s party say the money was a political donation for the upkeep of his London office and living expenses, but British officials are investigating whether it was declared to tax authorities, and whether it is the proceeds of criminal activity. Officials of Mr. Hussain’s party say the money was a political donation for the upkeep of his London office and living expenses, but British officials are investigating whether it was declared to tax authorities, and whether it was the proceeds of criminal activity.
The British police have also arrested several of Mr. Hussain’s associates as they investigate the 2010 murder of Imran Farooq, a onetime political ally of Mr. Hussain.The British police have also arrested several of Mr. Hussain’s associates as they investigate the 2010 murder of Imran Farooq, a onetime political ally of Mr. Hussain.
Mr. Hussain’s party represents Karachi’s ethnic Mohajir community — people whose forebears immigrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947. The party has dominated Karachi politics since the mid-1980s through a combination of electoral politics and street violence, resulting in a powerful personality cult that is centered on Mr. Hussain.Mr. Hussain’s party represents Karachi’s ethnic Mohajir community — people whose forebears immigrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947. The party has dominated Karachi politics since the mid-1980s through a combination of electoral politics and street violence, resulting in a powerful personality cult that is centered on Mr. Hussain.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said that the money-laundering investigation was continuing and that Mr. Hussain must return to police custody in July for further questioning.In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said that the money-laundering investigation was continuing and that Mr. Hussain must return to police custody in July for further questioning.
Two other Pakistani men who were released in December as part of the same investigation are free on bail until September.Two other Pakistani men who were released in December as part of the same investigation are free on bail until September.