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UK tycoon 'arrested in Zimbabwe' | UK tycoon 'arrested in Zimbabwe' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
British property developer Nicholas van Hoogstraten has been arrested in Zimbabwe, according to local media. | British property developer Nicholas van Hoogstraten has been arrested in Zimbabwe, according to local media. |
The state-run Herald newspaper said Mr van Hoogstraten, 63, was charged with breaking foreign exchange laws after a night raid at his Harare home. | The state-run Herald newspaper said Mr van Hoogstraten, 63, was charged with breaking foreign exchange laws after a night raid at his Harare home. |
He is accused of demanding rent in overseas currency, contrary to Zimbabwean law, the newspaper said. | He is accused of demanding rent in overseas currency, contrary to Zimbabwean law, the newspaper said. |
A police spokesman told it that Mr van Hoogstraten, of Uckfield, East Sussex, owns about 200 properties in Zimbabwe. | A police spokesman told it that Mr van Hoogstraten, of Uckfield, East Sussex, owns about 200 properties in Zimbabwe. |
Bundles of money | Bundles of money |
Officers recovered 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars (£335,883; US$665,148) in cash, US$37,586 (£18,980), 92,880 South African rands (£6,552; US$12,975), £190 (US$376) and 180 Botswana pula (£15; US$29). | Officers recovered 20 billion Zimbabwe dollars (£335,883; US$665,148) in cash, US$37,586 (£18,980), 92,880 South African rands (£6,552; US$12,975), £190 (US$376) and 180 Botswana pula (£15; US$29). |
Van Hoogstraten is being charged under the Exchange Control Regulations Police spokesman Life of controversy | |
Zimbabwean law prohibits the use of foreign currencies for local goods and services. | Zimbabwean law prohibits the use of foreign currencies for local goods and services. |
Zimbabwean TV news bulletins showed Mr van Hoogstraten dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt, as the bundles of money allegedly found at his house were carried out by police. | Zimbabwean TV news bulletins showed Mr van Hoogstraten dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt, as the bundles of money allegedly found at his house were carried out by police. |
Police spokesman Wyane Bvudzijena told the Herald that Mr van Hoogstraten had demanded six months' rent in foreign currency from tenants. | Police spokesman Wyane Bvudzijena told the Herald that Mr van Hoogstraten had demanded six months' rent in foreign currency from tenants. |
He added that police also recovered pornography from Mr van Hoogstraten's home. | He added that police also recovered pornography from Mr van Hoogstraten's home. |
"The police informant had been asked to pay in the region of US$8,000," Mr Bvudzijena added. | "The police informant had been asked to pay in the region of US$8,000," Mr Bvudzijena added. |
"Van Hoogstraten is being charged under the Exchange Control Regulations for charging a service and dealing foreign currency. | "Van Hoogstraten is being charged under the Exchange Control Regulations for charging a service and dealing foreign currency. |
"He is also facing charges under the Censorship Act." | "He is also facing charges under the Censorship Act." |
In 2002 a British court convicted Mr van Hoogstraten of manslaughter and sentenced him to 10 years in jail after a business associate was shot and killed. | In 2002 a British court convicted Mr van Hoogstraten of manslaughter and sentenced him to 10 years in jail after a business associate was shot and killed. |
Mr van Hoogstraten appealed against the conviction and was cleared in 2003, although in 2005 a civil court awarded the murdered man's family £6m in damages. | Mr van Hoogstraten appealed against the conviction and was cleared in 2003, although in 2005 a civil court awarded the murdered man's family £6m in damages. |