Trader in jail for 8kg diamonds

22 December 2009 - 02:00
By unknown

KINSHASA - An Indian businessman was jailed for six months and fined about R760 000 by a Kinshasa tribunal for concealing at least 8kg of rough diamonds in his luggage.

KINSHASA - An Indian businessman was jailed for six months and fined about R760 000 by a Kinshasa tribunal for concealing at least 8kg of rough diamonds in his luggage.

Ajudiya Pravin Kumar, a diamond dealer for six years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been wanted by the high court in Gombe, a prosperous community in Kinshasa, for smuggling and illegal possession of diamonds, attempted corruption and fraud.

With his prison sentence, "he will also have to pay a fine of about R684000and R76000 in damages and interest to the DRC", DRC lawyer in the trial Me Ruffin Lukoo said.

The state prosecutor had requested that Pravin Kumar be sentenced to 17 years in prison and fined R3,8 billion.

The diamonds, analysed by the DR Congo's Centre for Evaluation, Expert Analysis and Certification of Precious Minerals, weighed 42000 carats and have a market value of R3,8 million. - Sapa-AFP