Turkish-Cypriot tycoon Nadir jailed for ten years in Britain

LONDON — Turkish-Cypriot tycoon Asil Nadir, once one of Britain's most notorious fugitives, was on Thursday jailed for ten years for stealing millions of pounds from his international business empire.

The flamboyant 71-year-old was convicted in London this week on ten charges of theft from his now-defunct conglomerate, Polly Peck International, between 1987 and 1990.

Nadir's thefts totalled L28.8 million, the equivalent of more than L61.6 million ($97.8 million, 77.9 million euros) in today's terms.

"You were a wealthy man who stole out of pure greed," Judge Tim Holroyde told Nadir at London's Old Bailey court.

Holroyde said Nadir would serve only half of his prison sentence before being eligible for release on licence.

Nadir said in a statement issued through his lawyers that he was "most disappointed" by the verdicts.

"He maintains that he is totally innocent of all charges and will be lodging an appeal," the statement said. (...)