This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7212491.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UK tycoon set to appear in court | UK tycoon set to appear in court |
(about 2 hours later) | |
British property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten is due to appear in court in Zimbabwe on charges relating to currency and pornography. | British property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten is due to appear in court in Zimbabwe on charges relating to currency and pornography. |
The 63-year-old, of Uckfield, East Sussex, was arrested at the weekend after a night raid at his Harare home. | |
He is accused of demanding rent in foreign currency, which is forbidden under Zimbabwean law. | He is accused of demanding rent in foreign currency, which is forbidden under Zimbabwean law. |
He is also facing charges in connection with pornographic material allegedly seized at the time of his arrest. | He is also facing charges in connection with pornographic material allegedly seized at the time of his arrest. |
A police spokesman told the state-run Herald newspaper that Mr van Hoogstraten owns about 200 properties in Zimbabwe. | |
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). |
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. |
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. |
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. |