The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has taken action against the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s driver for an alleged common assault, stemming from an incident where the driver spat on a woman in September of last year.
According to reports from Geo News, the CPS has charged Farid Nemouchi, the close protection guard for Nawaz Sharif, with the alleged assault following a complaint made by Panzani Cheema, a Brunei national residing in London.
The incident unfolded after a Pakistani media interview with Nawaz Sharif, where Cheema began filming and questioning the former prime minister’s entourage as they were leaving Hasan Nawaz’s office. Nemouchi, driving Sharif, interacted with Cheema briefly before the alleged assault occurred.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Nemouchi, accompanied by his lawyer Moeen Khan, pleaded not guilty to the charge of spitting and causing distress to Cheema, who was not present in court. The prosecutor highlighted the distress and trauma caused to Cheema by the spitting incident.
The judge granted Nemouchi bail without conditions and scheduled the trial for a later date in June or July.
The incident occurred when Cheema approached the car window and engaged with Nemouchi, mentioning Sharif’s alleged corruption. Allegedly angered by the comment, Nemouchi spat on Cheema’s face before driving away. The entire incident was captured on Cheema’s phone.
Nemouchi, of Algerian origin, is a highly trained martial arts expert who provided protection to Nawaz Sharif during his exile in London. Despite returning to Pakistan to lead the party’s election campaign, Nemouchi maintains his innocence, with his lawyer emphasizing his professional background and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“We will try to prove that our client didn’t break any law,” stated Nemouchi’s lawyer Moeen Khan. “Farid was protecting a high-profile figure at the time who had live threats to his life, reported to the Met Police. Farid Nemouchi is a professional boxer and bodyguard, one of the best in the field. He is innocent until proven guilty by the court as is the UK law.”
This development highlights the legal repercussions of an altercation that drew attention due to its involvement with a prominent political figure and underscores the complexities surrounding security personnel responsibilities.
