Asil Nadir refers to a prominent Turkish-Cypriot businessman who gained considerable notoriety in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Born in 1941, Nadir was the founder and former CEO of Polly Peck International, a British-based conglomerate that specialized in textiles, electronics, and fruit trading.
However, Asil Nadir is primarily remembered for his involvement in one of the most high-profile fraud cases in British history. In 1990, he was accused of embezzling millions of pounds from Polly Peck, leading to its collapse and the loss of thousands of jobs. Nadir fled to Northern Cyprus in 1993, evading his trial in the UK for over 17 years.
The case against Asil Nadir finally went to trial in 2012, where he faced numerous charges, including theft, false accounting, and conspiracy to defraud. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was found guilty on multiple counts. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison, although this was reduced to 7 and a half years on appeal.
The name "Asil Nadir" has since become synonymous with corporate fraud and deception. His rise and fall in the business world, along with the significant economic impact of his actions, has left a lasting mark on British legal and financial history.
