Top Scotland Yard officer jailed for false arrest in private feud

London - A high-ranking Scotland Yard commander was Monday sentenced to four years in jail for misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice. Ali Dizaei, an Iranian-born officer with a colorful 24-year career in British policing, was found guilty by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London of attacking and falsely arresting a man with whom he had a personal argument over money.

The court ruled that Dizaei should spend two years in jail and a further two years on license. The presiding judge said the sentence was to "send a clear message that police officers of whatever rank are not above the law."

"You knew how the system worked and you thought you would never be discovered," the judge told Dizaei.

Scotland Yard Commissioner Stephenson said: "It is extremely disappointing and concerning that this very senior officer has been found guilty of abusing his position and power."

The court heard that Dizaei, after a private family dinner in a London restaurant in July, 2008, was confronted by Waad Al-Baghdadi, an Iraqi man, over outstanding payment for work on his personal website.

In the course of the argument, Dizaei attacked al-Baghdadi, produced handcuffs to arrest him and called the police emergency line claiming that he had been the victim of an assault and required help with an arrest, the court heard.

A police doctor told the court that the injuries Dizaei said he had suffered were self-inflicted. Dizaei, who has in the past accused Scotland Yard of "racism and systematic discrimination," is expected to be sacked from the force for gross misconduct.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/308135,top-scotland-yard-officer-jailed-for-false-arrest-in-private-feud.html.