Pakistani origin French fashion designer Mahmood Bhatti has denied reports claiming that he has been sent to jail in France. He said the reports circulating in Pakistani and French media are false and misleading.

Mahmood Bhatti rejected claims that he had been sentenced to prison by a French court.

In a video statement shared on social media Mahmood Bhatti said the news regarding his imprisonment is incorrect and that facts are being presented inaccurately in the media.

It is worth mentioning that according to French newspaper ‘Le Monde’ the Paris Court of Appeal recently found Mahmood Bhatti guilty in a case related to tax fraud and money laundering.

According to the court decision Mahmood Bhatti was handed a two year suspended sentence and fined 150,000 euros. He was also banned from managing any company for 10 years.

The report further stated that the court confiscated three luxury watches and three Jaguar vehicles from him.

During the court proceedings it was revealed that tax fraud charges related to the period between 2009 and 2012 and money laundering charges from 2009 to 2014 were proven.

According to the French newspaper investigators claimed that he financed his luxury lifestyle through a loan system connected to a company based in the United Arab Emirates.

The report also stated that during the appeal Mahmood Bhatti accepted the charges and agreed to a reduced sentence. It added that he had previously been investigated in a financial fraud case in 2001.