‘He’s An Outstanding, Inspiring And Humble Man’: Pilatus Bank Owner’s Closest Friends Stake Their Lives To Get Him Out Of Jail
The closest friends of Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad revealed a more sympathetic side to the Pilatus Bank owner as they placed their homes and life savings as security to get him bailed out of jail.
Sadr has been in a Manhattan jail since March, when he was arrested for evading US sanctions and laundering money, with the courts warning he poses a high flight risk. However, forty of his friends have agreed to put up bonds totalling $14 million, secured by over $6 million in assets to secure his release. This is over and above the $20 million bond co-signed by Sadr himself, as well as his mother and two sisters – secured by $33 million in assets.
Sadr has also agreed to surrender his passports, restrict his travel movements and waive his rights to contest extradition from any countries of concern.
The proposed bail package, which Sadr’s lawyer Baruch Weiss sent judge Andrew Carter, includes the testimonies of three of his friends who have now essentially staked their lives on Sadr abiding by his bail conditions.
“We are Ali Sadr’s close family friends and have known him since his birth,” a couple who posted $4 million said. “We observed Ali grow up and become an outstanding human being. He is a caring and trustworthy individual who genuinely cares for others and puts other’s needs ahead of his. Our pledge of support for Ali represents more than our total net worth, but based on our knowledge and experience with Ali, we firmly trust and believe that we do not have to worry at all.”
Ali Sadr’s lawyer Baruch Weiss
A woman who has known Sadr all his life and has posted a $103,000 bond described him as “a wise son who had carried a lot of family responsibilities on his shoulders”.
“I remember when my husband died and [Sadr] came to all of my services along with his mum…he asked me to think of him as my son and if he could help in any way possible to please let me know. During my life, I have seen very few people as loyal, dedicated and companionate as Ali Sadr. My pledge of support for Ali presents a significant portion of my total net worth. If he flees the US…I would be devastated and homeless.”
One of Sadr’s closest childhood friends said she was “closer to Ali than to her brother” as she posted a $2.5 million bond for his release.
“Ali is the type of person I can always rely on. Besides his big heart, Ali has been always such an inspiration to me,” she said. “What I admire the most about Ali is that he remains humble in the face of his achievements. As a single woman who is supporting herself, losing the bond that I am posting for Ali would make me devastated. However, based on a deep understanding of his character, the type of relationship I have with him, and the strong bond between us since childhood, I post this bond without any hesitations.”
The Manhattan courts are expected to rule on whether or not to bail Sadr next Thursday.
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