Kia Joorabchian should have been called as a witness by the prosecution. Photo: Getty Images/Simon Stackpool
Football agent Kia Joorabchian has arrived. to America on a private jet without telling police the night before that he was due to testify as a court witness in the Saif Alroubi trial, the jury was told.
Alrubi, who is also a football agent, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of sending a malicious email to former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaya with intent to cause distress or distress.
Appearing as a witness in court in Wednesday, Alrubi called Granovskaya “the right hand of Roman Abramovich” and said that threatening her would be a “suicide mission.”
The jury heard the plea earlier this week. Alrubi Granovskaia's email, in which he claimed he was owed £300,000 for Kurt Zouma's move from Chelsea to West Ham United, said: «I'm sure you've heard the story about your other friend Kia when he owed me money for a year and how he paid it. I wouldn’t want you to find yourself in the same situation just because you have personal problems with me.”
Saif Alrubi arrived at Southwark Crown Court Photo: PA/Jordan Pettitt
Joorabchian was called as a witness by the prosecution, but after telling them he was unwell and might not be able to attend the trial, it emerged that he had flown to the United States .
As owner of Sports Invest, Joorabchian's clients include former Chelsea striker Willian, Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz and Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon, who is on loan at Brentford.
Reading the 'agreed facts' In the case to the jury, prosecutor Arizuna Asante said: “Kia Joorabchian was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to testify. On Monday, April 22, 2024, the prosecution contacted him to confirm his appearance in court.
“The officer on this case spoke with Mr. Joorabchian and he initially told the officer that it was possible will not be able to attend court on the afternoon of 23/04/24 as he had to fly abroad. He did not tell the officer that he was outside the UK.
“After further calling Mr. Joorabchian, he told the officer that he was not feeling well and was not well enough to appear in court to give evidence. , but obviously could do it via video link. During this conversation he made no suggestion that he was outside the UK.
“Mr Joorabchian was asked to obtain a doctor's certificate to confirm the diagnosis. The police made several more repeated calls with no response. When the officer was able to contact him yesterday afternoon, Mr. Joorabchian told the officer that he had boarded a private jet for the United States on Monday evening.
The jury was drawn on Tuesday, Mr Asante reported that Joorabchian allegedly encountered men acting on behalf of Alrubi at a restaurant, who took his watch and refused to return it until payment was made later, when about 12 men came to his office and ordered him to pay in batches.
On the witness stand, Alrubi insisted that his reference to Djurabchian in the email to Granovskaya did not imply a physical threat and said: “I am sending an email to the woman who is the right-hand woman of Roman Abramovich, one of Russia's biggest figures. businessmen in the world. I'm just Saif Alrubi, I'm a small-time agent.
“I don't think I would be stupid enough to threaten anyone, let alone someone with the power of Roman Abramovich [ behind the back]. . It would just be my suicide mission. I'm not that stupid.»
Marina Granovskaya arrived at Southwark Crown Court Photo: PA/Jordan Pettitt
Alrubi told the court he had brought civil proceedings against Granovskaya. To try to recover the money he believed he was owed, and when asked specifically whether he intended to threaten her, he replied: “By law, one million percent. Nothing else.
“I would like to use a language that might not be as strong, but we are all human. My only fault is that I sent an angry email.”
Asked by defense attorney Matthew Redstone about his relationship with Joorabchian, Alroubi said, «Kia Joorabchian is an interesting character and it's unfortunate that he should have been here, but he jumped.» on a private jet to America.
“He is a very gambling person, constantly goes to the casino and always pays late. When I settled a financial dispute with him in 2010, that was the last time I wanted to deal with him because I'm not in that kind of business.»
Alrubi's email statement to police following his arrest was also read out in court on Wednesday. Asked to explain his mention of Joorabchian and his understanding of what had happened to him, Alroubi told police: “He owed about £50,000 within a year and again, just like… if I had been chasing these money, I would do it.» there is still a lot to be done to try and get that money.
“As for the Kia situation, all that happened was that he was spotted having dinner with the Brazilian soccer team, and one of my old colleagues, who is no longer here, approached him and Kia then. .. because he knew that he owed money, he said: “Okay, I will pay, I will pay, I will pay.”
“But apparently Kia had been evasive and evasive for some time, so he ended up voluntarily giving up his watch.
“The day after he received his the watch back and paid the money and that was it, and that's all that happened, nothing happened, nothing physical, nothing threatening, nothing.»
The case continues.
Свежие комментарии