The absence of overwhelming majority of civil party representatives… and defendant Rafik Khalifa finds himself at ease

The missing defense civil parties in the Khalifa trial, witnessed the attendance of only three out of 53 representatives of lawyers, including the solicitor of the Khalifa Bank in liquidation, as well as the solicitor of “Demko. A lawyer and the judge noted that questions must not depart from the file, and the questions were based on decades of fraud and financial facilities obtained from local development Bank, and how the Khalifa Bank was set up, what made the main defendant in the case namely Rafik Khalifa finds himself at ease in his answers to the presiding judge, and also when receiving questions which were mostly repeated.

Ali Meziane, the civil party lawyer in charge of Khalifa Bank’s liquidation: A mortgage for the Villa at the Paradou district and the business shop at Chéraga district registered by Mr Rahal weren’t the subject of a mortgage, have you taken the money? And where is this missing money?

Khalifa: I got a financial facilities from the local development Bank ‘BDL) in the early 1990s, I deposited 10 billion centimes (DA) in cash, and took the money, and did not get a loan.

Lawyer Meziane: what was the legal status of Al-Khalifa Airways?

Khalifa: It belonged to me personally, it’s a legal entity.

The Judge: Was this mentioned in the legal contract?

During the hearing, objections were leveled to Professor Lazar meant as a point of order, rejection in opposition to the civil party lawyer’s questions.

Lawyer Meziane: the capital’s company was estimated at 150 million (DA), where did you finance this firm?

Khalifa: this was my own company called “KRG Pharma” that was still active during that period.

Lawyer Meziane: As General Manager of the Khalifa Bank, did you ask for permission from the Governing Council and the Bank to grant money to the airline company?

Defending lawyer Lazar’s objection to the introduction of the Khalifa airways in the case, was stymied by the judge who refused the lawyer’s unabated objections.

Lawyer Meziane: Did the airline company possess an account at the BEA external bank?

Khalifa: Yes, it had multiple accounts and I retrieved them.

Formalities in handling the interrogation process for the civil party

Lawyer Meziane: Could you apprise us of the debts incurred by Khalifa airways with the external bank?

Khalifa: There was money, and that’s for sure, a million and 300,000 dinars, and there are documents, your own accountant said that the funds were in the accounts.

Lawyer Meziane: concerning the water treatment stations in terms of financing, the funds were transferred four times to France, at the same time there was the purchase of Villa in CANNES and how much did this company get, and what can you explain the diverted 51 million Euros?

Khalifa: All these figures are wrong!

Lawyer Meziane: did you transfer money for the Swiss notary?

Khalifa: supplementary investigation says that according to French law, the settlement of funds was required.

Judge:Was the money transfer made?

Khalifa: Yes, and the amount of money was 33 million euros.

Lawyer Meziane: Was the money transfer made through Khalifa Bank?

Judge: This question was asked several times, and he said, “no”.

Lawyer Meziane: Just to confirm, how much money cost the Villa purchased in Cannes?

Khalifa: 33.5 million Euros.

Lawyer Meziane: how much was it sold?

Khalifa: this is the problem, it was sold for around 17 million Euros.

The war of words  between the civil party defense and the Defense of Rafik Khalifa… the judge demands direct questions.

Meziane: Were there orders to sell the Cannes Villa.

Khalifa: we ordered that, the company we are encumbered by the liquidation of the debt, we gave the order to mortgage it but the Court rejected that.

Lawyer Meziane: how was the value of the mortgage?

Khalifa: the mortgage option didn’t materialize as the Tribunal dismissed the request.

Lawyer Meziane: after the Villa, did  your counselor give a cheque?

Khalifa: The cheque was granted to Khalifa airways , all this was legally recorded in Britain in detail.

The Judge: I should point out that everything said here  must be included in the file.

Lawyer Meziane: The 2002 budget of Khalifa Bank was estimated at how much?

Khalifa: Approximately 120 to 130 billion dinars.

Meziane: yesterday you said 110 billion dinars , what was the amount in the Central Treasury?

Khalifa: 97 billion dinars.

Lawyer Meziane: how much money was deposited in the account?

Khalifa: 35 per cent of the budget

Lawyer Meziane raised some other questions before terminating his questioning.

Lawyer Meziane: What was the amount of money in the possession of the Khalifa Bank in 2002?

Khalifa:  It amounted to 30 percent of the overall budget estimated then at 97 billion dollars.