Owner of Dubai Developer Damac Hussain Sajwani files case against Egypt corruption ruling

Dubai property developer Damac said on Tuesday it had filed an international arbitration case against Egypt over a land dispute and the conviction of its chairman and owner, Hussain Sajwani.

A Cairo court last week sentenced Sajwani in his absence to jail and ordered him to pay a $40.5 million fine in connection with his 2006 purchase of land at Egypt's Red Sea resort of Gamsha Bay near Hurghada. Sajwani filed the arbitration claim before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, based on an Egyptian treaty with the United Arab Emirates that protectsinvestments made by UAE nationals in Egypt, Damac said.
source Reuters ...continue reading

Dubai Damac lawsuit before Dubai International Financial Court

A judge has ruled part of an investor's lawsuit filed against the Dubai developer Damac Properties may be heard by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.

Lothar Hardt's closely watched suit against the developer is believed to be the largest filed against a developer in the emirate.

"I think this is very important for Dubai &" Mr Hardt said yesterday. "So far everything has been left in the dark."

Mr Hardt claims he invested US$9.7 million (Dh35.6m) in five Damac projects: Park Towers at the DIFC; Water's Edge and Lotus Residences at Business Bay; Wildflower at Jumeirah Golf Estates; and Ocean Heights at Dubai Marina.

His suit charges the developer with a range of alleged infractions including failing to deliver the projects on time, mismanaging escrow accounts and failing to register transactions with Dubai's Land Department.

One of the developments, Lotus Residences, was built on land controlled by the UN, he alleges.

Mr Hardt, who was listed as a Damac "VIP investor", is asking for the return of his $9.7m as well as damages.

A Damac spokesman declined to comment.

continue reading.....

source The National December 2010