Chinese Businessman Charged With Money Laundering
Maputo, 21 Dec (AIM) – The Public Prosecutor’s Office in the central Mozambican province of Sofala has charged a Chinese businessman, Jiye Zhuo, with money laundering, criminal conspiracy, forgery, tax evasion and environmental crimes.
The Chief Public Prosecutor in the central province of Sofala, José Curado, said on Tuesday that the criminal case, which also involves a Mozambican citizen, Kaman Lau Ming Kwan, is in the investigation phase, in the third section of the Sofala Provincial Court.
According to the prosecution, Jiye Zhou has been living in the country for more than 10 years. He owns at least seven companies in various spheres of business, which are accused of tax evasion, causing damage of 862.8 million meticais (about 13.5 million US dollars, at the current exchange rate) to the Mozambican state.
The investigations indicate that the Chinese businessman, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, also fraudulently obtained Mozambican nationality, as a supposed native of the Sofala district of Búzi, through identity card number 070376247L, with residence in Chingussura neighbourhood in Beira city.
Curado said that more people may be called to testify during the trial in court. The crimes are subject to heavy penalties, under the new Penal Code, with possible prison terms of between 12 and 16 years.
(AIM)
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