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| Dizaei threat claims 'nonsense' | Dizaei threat claims 'nonsense' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei has said claims he challenged a man to fight were "nonsense". | |
| Southwark Crown Court has heard a row broke out in July 2008 when Waad Al-Baghdadi demanded £600 for work on Mr Dizaei's personal website. | Southwark Crown Court has heard a row broke out in July 2008 when Waad Al-Baghdadi demanded £600 for work on Mr Dizaei's personal website. |
| Mr Dizaei told the court he was firm with the "threatening" designer but called claims of a challenge "absurd". | Mr Dizaei told the court he was firm with the "threatening" designer but called claims of a challenge "absurd". |
| Mr Dizaei denies assault, false arrest, misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice. | Mr Dizaei denies assault, false arrest, misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice. |
| The court has heard that the dispute between the men came to a head when Mr Al-Baghdadi demanded payment from Britain's most senior Asian officer for work on alidizaei.com. | The court has heard that the dispute between the men came to a head when Mr Al-Baghdadi demanded payment from Britain's most senior Asian officer for work on alidizaei.com. |
| Mr Al-Baghdadi called 999 when Mr Dizaei, former president of the National Black Police Association, allegedly challenged him to a fight in the street outside a restaurant in Kensington, west London. | Mr Al-Baghdadi called 999 when Mr Dizaei, former president of the National Black Police Association, allegedly challenged him to a fight in the street outside a restaurant in Kensington, west London. |
| It would be absurd to me to point to the crowd and invite Mr al-Baghdadi there for a fist fight Ali Dizaei | It would be absurd to me to point to the crowd and invite Mr al-Baghdadi there for a fist fight Ali Dizaei |
| At that point Mr Al-Baghdadi was handcuffed and arrested by Mr Dizaei. | At that point Mr Al-Baghdadi was handcuffed and arrested by Mr Dizaei. |
| Mr Dizaei told the court: "I was firm and I said to him, 'You are frightening my wife, you are causing a disturbance - just go away.' | Mr Dizaei told the court: "I was firm and I said to him, 'You are frightening my wife, you are causing a disturbance - just go away.' |
| "He used a strange Farsi quote which says, 'I will take the money out of your throat.' | "He used a strange Farsi quote which says, 'I will take the money out of your throat.' |
| "It might sound bizarre when translated into English, but it is a very threatening comment to make to any person." | "It might sound bizarre when translated into English, but it is a very threatening comment to make to any person." |
| Responding to claims he challenged Mr Al-Baghdadi to a fight Mr Dizaei said: "It would be absurd to me to point to the crowd and invite Mr Al-Baghdadi there for a fist fight. | |
| "It is just complete and utter nonsense." | "It is just complete and utter nonsense." |
| The court has heard Mr Dizaei told lies and may have faked injuries on himself in an attempt to have the web designer prosecuted. | The court has heard Mr Dizaei told lies and may have faked injuries on himself in an attempt to have the web designer prosecuted. |
| When asked by Barrister Michael Mansfield QC if this were true, Mr Dizaei replied: "Absolutely not". | |
| Mr Dizaei said he asked Mr Al-Baghdadi to leave the Yas restaurant at the owner's request. | |
| The court heard how Mr Al-Baghdadi made an obscene hand gesture towards Dizaei while walking down the road after leaving. | |
| Mr Dizaei said he feared the man had called friends who may attack the restaurant and decided to arrest him under the Public Order Act. | |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |