LONDON (Reuters) - The former president of Britain's National Black Police Association was jailed for four years on Monday after being found guilty of misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice.
Commander Ali Dizaei, a senior Scotland Yard officer, had threatened and falsely arrested young Iraqi businessman Waad al-Baghdadi in a row over money, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London concluded.
Iranian-born Dizaei, 47, had been suspended on full pay since September 2008 and is now likely to be sacked from London's Metropolitan Police for gross misconduct.
He has long been one of the most controversial senior officers working for the London force.
In 2003, he was cleared of misconduct in a public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
In the latest case, Dizaei had attempted to frame Al-Baghdadi, 24, who had pestered him outside a restaurant for a 600 pound payment for building a website showcasing the officer's career, the Press Association reported.
He had confronted the younger man in a nearby sidestreet where a scuffle took place and Al-Baghdadi was roughly arrested and handcuffed.
Dizaei told police colleagues he had been attacked, leaving al-Baghdadi in custody for 24 hours and ultimately facing prosecution.
When Al-Baghdadi was told he would not face any charge, he complained about his treatment and Dizaei's deceit slowly unravelled.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said Dizaei had behaved like a bully and praised Al-Baghdadi for standing up to him.
"This verdict should send a message to any other corrupt officer that nobody is untouchable," said IPCC chair Nick Hardwick.
At the time of his 2003 trial, Dizaei's lawyer had said he was targeted because of his outspoken views on racism and called the investigation a "witch hunt of Orwellian proportions."
Scotland Yard Commissioner Paul Stephenson said it was "extremely disappointing and concerning" that a senior officer had been convicted of abusing his position.
"The public expect the police to treat them fairly and honestly and we are resolved to tackle corruption at every opportunity," he said.
"He has breached that trust and damaged not only his own reputation but that of the entire police service. Bearing in mind his rank and disgraceful behaviour, he should not be surprised at the severity of his sentence."
(Reporting by Tim Castle and Michael Holden; Editing by Steve Addison)
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