DUBAI 8 June 2022: The UAE Ministry of Justice yesterday confirmed the arrest of Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta by the Dubai Police, pursuant to an international Red Notice request issued by Interpol.
The UAE has also arrested Sanjay Shah, a suspect in a $1.7 billion dividend tax fraud case in Denmark.
Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta were arrested on June 2, in accordance with the two agreements in extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between the UAE and the Republic of South Africa. Both agreements were signed on 25th September, 2019 and entered into force on 10th July, 2021, said Wam.
The case involved close coordination between the UAE authorities to make the successful arrests, including the Dubai Police, Dubai Public Prosecution and the UAE Ministry of Justice, in line with the Red Notice issued against them by Interpol on charges of money laundering and corruption.
Together, the UAE authorities took the lead in developing strong evidence on the case before making the arrests in response to the requests issued by Interpol, which also involved close cooperation with their South African counterparts to share the relevant intelligence.
The extradition request between the authorities in the UAE and South Africa is under procedure and further information will be made available in due course.
Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, said, “The UAE does not rest in preventing international financial crime. The arrest of Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta, two individuals wanted by South Africa and pursuant to Interpol’s international Red Notice request, is the latest example of our commitment and sustained efforts to combat illicit finance.
“I am thankful to the UAE authorities who have led this case with expert skill and compiled the requisite evidence to make the arrests possible. The arrests send a clear statement of the UAE’s proactive efforts to work in close collaboration with its international partners and organisations. This is clearly reflected in the response to the Interpol request for Rajesh Gupta and Atul Gupta, as well as the UAE’s extradition and legal assistance agreements with South Africa, which came into force in July 2021.
“The UAE Ministry of Justice, alongside all competent UAE authorities, is determined to prevent financial crime in all its forms to protect the UAE and uphold the integrity of the global financial system as a top national and international priority.”
UAE leads global money laundering, tax evasion operation
In response to the arrest of Sanjay Shah, a suspect in a $1.7 billion dividend tax fraud case in Denmark, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice said: “International crime requires an international response. The arrest of Sanjay Shah, following receipt of an international arrest warrant from the Danish authorities, sends a clear signal of the UAE’s intent to work in close collaboration with international partners in pursuit of international crime.
For the past two years UAE authorities have worked closely with their Danish counterparts to compile a strong body of evidence in this case. There has been 25 legal assistance requests between the UAE and Denmark that have been executed on this particular issue.
The UAE’s commitment to collaboration is also symbolised in the general extradition treaty signed with Denmark in March 2022. This is one of 37 treaties put in place in recent years and the UAE intends to sign more.
Through the robust, collaborative structure of partnership, the UAE is determined to disrupt organised crime in all its forms to protect the UAE and uphold the integrity of the international financial system.”
