BBC News - Ali Dizaei Witness Identity Questioned

Doubts have emerged about the key prosecution witness at the trial of the former Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei.

Dizaei, 48, was sentenced to four years in jail in 2008 for misconduct and perverting the course of justice.

He was found guilty of attacking and falsely arresting Waad al-Baghdadi.

But a series of documents seen by BBC News have alleged Mr al-Baghdadi, said to be from Iraq, used a false name and nationality when he appeared in court.

Mr Dizaei's 24-year police career ended in disgrace when he was jailed for wrongfully detaining the businessman after a row outside a Persian restaurant in Kensington, west London.

However, the documents suggest Mr al-Baghdadi's real name is Vaed Maleki and that he was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1983.

This contradicts statements Mr al-Baghdadi gave to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and evidence he gave under oath in court.

The information was confirmed by an Iranian man who said he was Mr al-Baghdadi's relative.

The BBC attempted to contact Mr al-Baghdadi but he did not reply to calls and could not be traced.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was shown a "variety of official documentation" to prove Mr al-Baghdadi was who he said he was.

Mr Dizaei is due at the Court of Appeal in London on Wednesday, seeking permission to appeal against his conviction.

He believes he has grounds to prove his trial was unfair and his jail term was too harsh.

In June a senior judge sitting alone ruled he had no grounds for an appeal, but Mr Dizaei hopes to challenge this decision.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11870744

Good spot.

Although this bloke Ali Dizaei seems to be a bit nasty - I actually said at the time on here that I thought he was "fitted up" because some in the Police did not like him.

Looks as if we were right on here that he was set up for this.

The Police seem to spend their time "fitting up" people they want revenge on - and it does not mattter how "innocent" you are - they know how to use the JUSTICE SYSTEM to persuade a jury ( usually on the basis of no smoke without fire - and "being in a certain place" is enough - as it was in this instance with ALI DIZ. even complete with a FAKE WITNESS LOL

He should be released pending an appeal like the THUG PC Andrews was.

I think he will one day prove his innocence on this and get loads of damages.

I always thought the sentence was far too harsh even if what we saw was genuine.

I don't like seeing coppers banged up just because they are cops-except the ones who have lied and had others locked up for decades but they are never prosecuted.

I agree Veritas. A sentence for a Policeman is worse than for anyone else because they end up taking the flak for all the corrupt Police. Therefore, it should be a last resort.

It just amazes me that we see genuinely guilty police who have killed and assaulted seriously not even facing trial when the DIZAI case is at best a disagreement which got out of hand and in which no one died or got battered.....the CCTV for his trial consisted of an argument in a restaurant - hardly as compelling as the "Cell Assault" policeman.

Let's wait and see what happens. I welcome them freeing this man so he can fight his case properly and try and get to the truth of this situation. He has served some sentence - so if he is guilty in any way then he has done his "time" as far as I can see.

If it can be proved he was stitched up it will actually show how devious the genuinely corrupt Police really are and how they can even "Take out" a senior officer of their "own" when they decide to act. That should send shockwaves through the Justice System - because it means NO-ONE is safe from such things.......

We are living in a Police State now where even individual Police can fall victim to the Police State powers.