ALI SADR HASHEMI NEJAD TRIAL SET FOR MARCH 2, 2020 AFTER MOTIONS RESOLVED

The Federal criminal case against the Iranian national who owned and operated Malta's dodgy Pilatus Bank, Ai Sadr Hashemi Nejad, has now been set by the Court to begin on March 2, 2020, A large number of defense Motions in Limine, seeking to stop the introduction of information that the defense asserted was prejudicial to their client, were recently denied. These motions required resolution prior to trial.

The Government is therefore free to introduce evidence and testimony that would appear to be seriously damaging to the defendant. The Court's rulings,entered on February 14, 2020, that were favorable to the Government:

(1) Statements of co-conspirators will be admissible.
(2) Most emails and attachments may come into evidence.
(3) Communications establishing Sadr's knowledge of US and international sanctions will be admitted.
(4) Evidence of purchase of a St Kitts citizenship will be admissible.
(5) Description of the housing project in Venezuela as "low-income."
(6) Evidence of  the revocation of an OFAC "U-Turn license."

"Shell" and "front company" may not be used in Opening Argument, nor references to the the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran. Sadr may offer evidence about the lack of risk of harm to the banks.

The Court has not yet ruled on whether it will admit testimony on whether the purchase of a St Kitts CBI citizenship "may be used to evade sanctions. " Heshemi Nejad, and others, allegedly used their SKN passports to conceal their nationality and citizenship abroad, and to acquire shell companies.