Campaigners hail victory for open justice in ‘dirty cash’ case

Izzat Khanim Javadova, who performs as the DJ Mikaela Jav, and her husband Suleyman Javadov were named this week
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Anti-corruption campaigners called for greater court transparency in “dirty money” cases on Friday as they hailed a victory for the Evening Standard over a millionaire DJ and her husband accused of bringing £14 million of illicit funds into London.

Their identities were only revealed after a two-year battle by this newspaper which reached the Court of Appeal to reveal details of the case which had previously been conducted under the veil of anonymity.

While welcoming the success, campaigners also demanded action to ensure more openness in future so the public can be properly informed when allegations of “McMafia” style misconduct are made in court.

Susan Hawley, the executive director of the campaign group Spotlight on Corruption, said the removal of anonymity from Mr Javadov and Ms Javadova was “a crucial victory for open justice thanks to tenacious legwork by the Evening Standard”.

“Transparency in how these McMafia type powers are used is crucial for deterring corrupt money being laundered in the UK,” she said.

“The public also need to know how law enforcement and the courts are using these powers so they can have confidence that they are working.

”Without the Evening Standard’s work on this, the public would be completely in the dark about how those alleged to have been involved in benefitting from a significant corruption scandal may have laundered their dirty money through UK companies, property and banks.”

Helena Wood, from the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said: “The Evening Standard’s dogged determination to fight for transparency in this particular case, has wider implications for the debate around open justice in this country.

“It should not be a feature of the British justice system that those who can afford to pay, can avoid public scrutiny for two years.

“While the outcome of this particular case remains to be decided in court, the emerging facts demonstrate the ability of wealthy individuals to buy their way into the UK and establish UK companies with minimal, or no, due diligence.”

Ben Cowdock, from the anti-corruption campaign organisation Transparency International UK, added: “Following tenacious campaigning by the Evening Standard, we welcome the lifting of reporting restrictions for this important case, where the respondents have yet to account for the source of more than £6million sitting in their British bank accounts.

“Showing action is being taken against suspicious wealth can help provide a deterrent against others looking to use the UK as a safe haven for ill-gotten gains.”

The National Crime Agency has alleged in court documents that Mr Javadov and Ms Javadova used “brass plate companies” fronted by “men of straw” to bring nearly £14 million of illicit money into Britain.

It claims the money was transferred used a complex web of transactions, including fake invoices for vast quantities of supposed steel exports, to hide its unlawful origin and will be seeking to seize around £6.5 million held in their bank accounts in forfeiture proceedings beginning next week.

The couple, who own several multi-million pound London properties, including a flat in Whitehall with views over the Thames, a riverside home in Twickenham and another luxury apartment in Clerkenwell, deny wrongdoing and insist that their wealth is legitimate.

Their lawyer has told the courts that the pair are “stunned” by the allegations, which they will strongly contest, and wanted to settle in London after finding the UK to be a “top notch” place to live.

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