After reviewing the evidence, and on the basis of my direct impression of the testimony of defendant 1, I determine that this is a patently unreliable defendant, who has done wonders at recounting false versions to the best of his imagination, and I do not see fit to give credence to his words, as long as they are not supported by objective evidence, which is indisputable.
The defendant tried to present himself as an innocent person who fell victim to the conspiracies conspired against him by others, while my unequivocal impression is that he was the one who was at the center of the acts described in the indictment and he was the one who used various means, in a blatant attempt to prevent his exposure and the disclosure of his actions by the law enforcement authorities. As will be detailed below, defendant 1 used sophisticated methods: forging documents, presenting himself under a false identity, and using forged stamps and the telephone and fax devices of others, while carrying out most of the activities through the so-called "straw companies". Indeed, some of the evidence presented by the prosecution is circumstantial evidence, but in a significant number of cases it is direct evidence, which testifies to the personal involvement of this defendant.
I categorically reject the arguments of defendant 1's attorneys, who did everything possible to present his version, that this defendant's role was limited to providing non-bank financing services in the field of international trade, financial intermediation in trade transactions, and referring clients to various entities in the field of international trade. In addition, I do not believe that defendant 1 is required, as he claims, to find creative solutions to complex and unique business and commercial situations, as the defense claims. My clear impression is that defendant 1 did not engage in providing legitimate business solutions, but rather devoted himself to locating opportunities to make substantial financial profits, and did not hesitate to engage in illegal conduct, while committing serious criminal offenses.