Israeli national Michael Gorelick, 64, has pleaded not guilty to 8 counts bordering on failure to issue tax invoice, money laundering and conspiracy to commit offences against revenue laws thereby defrauding the Malawi Government of a total amount of K1.8 billion.

The Watergen Africa Limited managing director who is being accused alongside three others including a 46-year old Malawian national Atusaye John Mwenisongole, were arrested Friday last week.

Appearing before Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa Monday morning in Lilongwe, the two accused persons denied all the charges.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Chirwa has ordered Gorelick to pay K80 million cash-bond whilst Mwenisongole has been ordered to K30 million cash-bond, provide two traceable and reliable sureties bonded at K50 million each non-cash.

Report to Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) offices in Lilongwe once every fortnight on Fridays, surrender traveling documents to court and not travel outside Lilongwe without notifying MRA.

However, the two other accused persons who are foreign nationals are still at large.

“It’s a coordinate law enforcement strategy, the MRA, DPP’s office and other law enforcement agencies whereby they have to prosecute the matter.”

“The State will have to finish the investigations within two weeks and then after that disclosures are made the witnesses will come to testify before court,” said Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steven Kayuni in an interview.

Kayuni has since told the court that the State has approximately six witnesses who are expected to testify in the trial.

The two other accused persons who are at large are the company’s directors Zinoviy Kadyuk and Gil Rogen.