Former top Antwerp diamond dealer arrested in Zimbabwe

The Belgian-Israeli former diamond dealer Erez Daleyot has been arrested by Zimbabwe's anti-corruption commission (ZACC), several African newspapers report. The major shareholder in Raiz-El Nickel Processing was arrested on allegations of externalising over USD 180 000. Daleyot was one of the largest Antwerp diamond dealers, before fleeing to South Africa after his four companies were declared bankrupt in 2015.

Daleyot is alleged to have broken several Zimbabwean trade laws in the purchase of about 240 tonnes of copper and nickel alloy worth USD 180,000. Via Raiz-El Nickel Processing, he imported the copper and nickel alloy from Zimbabwe to South Africa. The money was legally supposed to be deposited in a Zimbabwean account, but that did not happen. In order to protect the Zimbabwean economy, the law is strict on those who try to move Zimbabwean money outside the country's borders. Daleyot will remain in jail until his bail hearing on April 20.

Daleyot was a big name in the Belgian diamond city of Antwerp until his four companies were declared bankrupt in 2015. He left behind nearly €350 million in debt and moved to South Africa. The trustee in charge of settling his debts called Daleyot the deathblow to the Antwerp diamond industry: because of the sudden bankruptcy, banks no longer wanted to invest in diamonds. Daleyot was sentenced in absentia to eight months suspended in 2021. According to De Standaard, Belgium is not likely to ask for his extradition, as his sentence is suspended due to exceeding the reasonable time limit.

(KOR)

© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK