London - During a short procedural hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Friday 13 January 2012 in relation to the charges against Mr Dahdaleh, the case was adjourned until March 2012 to enable his legal team to study the SFO’s case papers, which were served a week ago (6 January 2012). The court was told of the expected return to the UK of co-defendant Mr Bruce Hall in February 2012. The cases against Mr Dahdaleh and Mr Hall are being joined and will run on the same timetable. Clare Montgomery QC on behalf of Mr Dahdaleh, indicated that she wanted an early trial date. Mr Dahdaleh was given further time to apply to dismiss the charges made against him.
A spokesman for Allen & Overy, Mr Dahdaleh's lawyers, reiterated: "Mr Dahdaleh believes the investigation into his affairs was flawed and that he has done absolutely nothing wrong. Mr Dahdaleh has not violated the laws of this country or any other country where he does business, including Bahrain. He will be vigorously contesting these charges at every stage, confident of clearing his good name.”
On 8 November 2011, the federal court in Pittsburgh re-opened the case filed by Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) against Alcoa and Mr Dahdaleh, alleging that they acted together corruptly to obtain contracts from Alba. As a result of this ruling, Alcoa and Mr Dahdaleh can now file a motion to dismiss the complaint. To date Mr Dahdaleh has not been able to challenge Alba's allegations in court and he looks forward to doing so at the earliest opportunity.
For further information, please contact Caroline Livesey, caroline.livesey@allenovery.com, on +44 (0)20 3088 4380, or Campbell McIlroy, campbell.mcilroy@allenovery.com, on +44 (0)20 3088 2783.
Notes for Editors: