Syed’s six week trial set for September
Hassan Syed
(CNS): The former president of the UCCI, who is accused of stealing over a half million dollars from the local college, will now stand trial in September. Hassan Syed was scheduled to face the court later this month but problems with representation and what his attorneys have described as complex issues relating to the case have pushed back what is expected to be a six-week trial until later in the year.
Syed was extradited from Switzerland last year where he was arrested by Interpol, having been on the run for several years.
Last month Syed pleaded not guilty to thirteen counts of theft, fraud and deception related offences in connection with his time as the university boss, including falsely claiming that he had a doctorate degree. He is accused of making false travel expense claims, misuse of the UCCI credit card, creating false invoices and time sheets, as well as unauthorized salary advances and the purchase of a car from Tony’s Toys.
Since his return to Cayman Syed, who is a Pakistani national, has been on bail but under virtual house arrest. Suffering from a number of serious health related issues, the former UCCI president agreed not to fight his extradition on the condition that he would be allowed to receive the medical treatment he needs while awaiting trial.
Following considerable difficulties with legal representation because his assets have been frozen under the proceeds of crime law, Syed has now received legal aid to cover his expenses for the case and trial.
As well as denying the charges, Syed has complained that his human rights have been undermined and has made a number of claims about the case, which were set out in a letter to the press from his attorneys in Rawalpindi in Pakistan. Among them is a claim that Syed was working behind the scenes for the UK authorities via the governor’s office probing allegations of corruption among officials in Cayman. Syed has also claimed some connection to the ill-fated Operation Tempura police corruption probe.
