Gaon Hart, Senior Crown Advocate for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said:
“The jury agreed today that Ali Dizaei, a Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service, abused his position as a senior police officer when he threatened and arrested an innocent man with whom he had a personal dispute.
“Dizaei had no proper reason for making this arrest and there was no real evidence that this young man had committed any crime on that day. Dizaei’s corruption, which would be deplorable in any police officer, was all the more so given his position as a highly ranked Commander.
“The public entrust the police with considerable powers and with that comes considerable responsibility. Dizaei abused that power and ignored that responsibility.
“Almost two years ago today, the Crown Prosecution Service made a similar announcement and the decision today vindicates the decision to take the matter before a jury. The public should have confidence that we will prosecute anyone, regardless of their position or the difficulties encountered along the way, where there is evidence that they’ve committed serious offences of corruption.
“We would like to thank the jury for the careful way in which they followed the evidence and also the witnesses who gave evidence in two trials. We believe that justice has been served for the victim and for the public in this case.”
