JACKIE Selebi's defence lawyer wrapped up closing arguments in the Johannesburg high court yesterday, and called for the former top cop's acquittal.
JACKIE Selebi's defence lawyer wrapped up closing arguments in the Johannesburg high court yesterday, and called for the former top cop's acquittal.
Jaap Cilliers argued that the state had failed to prove Selebi's guilt since it had cooked up the corruption and defeating the ends of justice charges against his client.
He said the Scorpions had blackmailed convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti so that he would make up stories about Selebi. This was after Selebi supported a move to incorporate the Scorpions into the SA Police Service.
Cilliers said "The DSO (Directorate of Special Operations) targeted Agliotti, making him look as bad as possible in order to bring down Selebi. Agliotti stated in the DVD recording (presented in court), that members of the DSO blackmailed and intimidated him to take a deal to give incriminating evidence against the accused.
"We submit that the state has not proved its case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt and that the accused is entitled to acquittal on all charges."
Selebi has pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving R1,2million from Agliotti and the Kebble family. - Sapa