TIMESONLINE: THE Swiss authorities have begun a criminal investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption surrounding Britain’s biggest defence firm.
The federal prosecutor’s office said a probe is under way into suspicions of money laundering involving BAE Systems. A spokeswoman for the office, said the inquiry was the result of a report received from the Swiss money-laundering authority.
The move will prove highly embarrassing to the British government, which decided to halt a two-year criminal inquiry by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) into the £40 billion Al Yamamah contract to sell fighter jets and Hawk trainers to Saudi Arabia.
The spokeswoman declined to give further details. Now Switzerland launches bribery probe into BAE (more) By David Leppard
NZZ: Schweiz ermittelt in Affäre um britischen Rüstungskonzern: Verdacht auf Geldwäscherei
Mark Alexander
