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UK court rejects Djibouti leader’s case against businessman UK court rejects Djibouti leader’s case against businessman
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — A British judge has thrown out a lawsuit by the government of Djibouti against a wealthy businessman over the construction of a port. LONDON — A British judge on Wednesday threw out a lawsuit by the government of Djibouti against a wealthy businessman over the construction of a port.
High Court judge Julian Flaux dismissed the case Wednesday after President Ismail Omar Guelleh failed to travel to London to attend the trial. Dismissing the case, High Court judge Julian Flaux criticized President Ismail Omar Guelleh for failing to travel to London to attend the trial.
The government had accused Abdourahman Boreh of dishonesty, breach of duty and accepting bribes over the development of a container port in the East African nation. The government had accused Abdourahman Boreh of dishonesty, breach of duty and accepting bribes over the development of a container port in the tiny East African nation.
Boreh — an ally turned rival of Guelleh — said the suit was politically motivated. The judge agreed, saying there had been a “concerted campaign” against Boreh and his businesses. Boreh, an ally turned rival of Guelleh, said the suit was politically motivated.
The judge — who analyzed evidence over two months at a trial last year — agreed, saying there had been a “concerted campaign” against Boreh and his businesses.
Boreh’s lawyer, Yvonne Jefferies, said the ruling was “a vindication of what he has contended throughout — that the claims against him were cynical, unfounded and politically motivated.”Boreh’s lawyer, Yvonne Jefferies, said the ruling was “a vindication of what he has contended throughout — that the claims against him were cynical, unfounded and politically motivated.”
The Republic of Djibouti said in a statement it was “extremely disappointed” with the outcome of the case and was “exploring urgently with its lawyers the best course of action to take, including the possibility of an appeal.”
Djibouti, which has less than 1 million people, is a linchpin of U.S. anti-terrorism efforts in Africa and the Middle East. The U.S. military base there, Camp Lemonnier, houses conventional forces, as well as special forces and aerial drones believed to be flown over Yemen and Somalia.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.