Brit-Indian honeymooner may voluntarily stand trial in SA, but under certain conditions
By ANIMonday, January 17, 2011
LONDON - A close friend of Shrien Dewani, the Brit-Indian millionaire who has been allegedly accused of masterminding his wife’s murder during their honeymoon in Cape town, has claimed that Dewani might be prepared to voluntarily come to South Africa to face trial, but under certain conditions.
Dewani has alleged that he’s being victimised by South Africa.
Hasmukh Velji Shah, Dewani’s friend, said the latter could come to South Africa on condition that he should be given bail up to the point of final appeal, and also allowed freedom of movement to help him build up his defence.
“There are certain issues and questions and guarantees which must be answered and given, such as if Shrien had to go to South Africa, would he be given bail? It is for Shrien’s legal team and the South African authorities to discuss this and agree a mutually agreed programme,” The New York Times, quoted Velji, as saying.
Recently a fellow holidaymaker, who had spent some time with the Dewanis during their honeymoon in Cape Town, had testified that Shrien acted strangely during their trip, adding that she was puzzled when Shrien told her their relationship had been a “disaster from start to finish” following Anni’s death.
She also claimed that when she consoled Shrien about his wife’s murder, the Brit-Indian millionaire apparently told her that: “It’s been a total disaster from start to finish”.
Anni was shot dead when the couple’s taxi was hijacked as it drove through a township outside Cape Town on November 13 last year.
Although four South Africans have been arrested in connection with the murder, and one sentenced to 18 years in prison, detectives are of the opinion that Shrien had masterminded the murder of his wife. (ANI)
