AgustaWestland: ED pins hopes on UAE to extradite James Christian Michel

New Delhi, July 29: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is pinning its hopes on the United Arab Emirates to have James Christian Michel extradited. Michel, the middleman in the AgustaWestland case is currently in the UAE and the ED has been able to dish out proof regarding the same.

A new extradition request will now be sent through the Ministry of External Affairs to the UAE where Michel is said to be based. The ED managed to corroborate evidence about his residence through the television interviews he had given and also on the basis of concrete intelligence inputs.

For the ED having Michel in their custody for interrogation is extremely crucial.

Although Michel had assured that he is ready to cooperate with the investigation, he has not approached either the CBI or the ED.

The new extradition request will be armed with the latest chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate which deals extensively with Michel's alleged dealings. ED officials say that they are hopeful that the UAE will accept their request and make arrangements for his extradition.

Earlier the ED had also sent a similar request to the UK. However, UK raised several questions which included the whereabouts of Michel and also his exact role in the scam. The ED after filing the chargesheet has communicated to the UK about the same with details.

OneIndia News