French financial prosecutors investigating submarines' sale to Brazil

Monday, May 22nd 2017 - 09:04 UTC

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The investigation on the submarines, started last October, concerns potential “corruption of foreign officials”, according to a report by French daily Le Parisien.

French financial prosecutors have launched an investigation into a 6.7 billion euro (US$7.5 billion) 2008 contract between naval supplier DCNS and Brazil that included the sale of five submarines, it was reported on Sunday in Paris.

The investigation, started in October last year, concerns potential “corruption of foreign officials”, according to a report by French daily Le Parisien.

The probe is linked to a wider Brazilian inquiry dubbed Lava Jato, or Car Wash, initiated in 2014 to investigate alleged bribery involving hundreds of politicians and public figures, the paper said without citing sources.

DCNS denied any wrongdoing.

“We have nothing to do with the Lava Jato case. DCNS scrupulously respects the rules of law around the world,” a spokesman said.

On their official Twitter account on May 12, prosecutors said they had spoken to the head of Brazil's Supreme Court and visited Brazil's central office against corruption but made no reference to the investigation reported by Le Parisien.

Newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported in 2015 that Brazilian federal police were investigating potential irregularities in the military program to build a nuclear-powered submarine in partnership with France by 2023.

The paper had not said if DCNS, which is 62% owned by the French state and 35% by French defense electronics group Thales SA, was being investigated.

Categories: Politics, Brazil, International.

Tags: Brazil, Brazil corruption, DCNS Group, France, Lava Jato operation, operation Car Wash, submarine.

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Disclaimer & comment rules

Jack Bauer
@McStink the Chimp
If you like the names of those insignificant lefties - who, if truly honest, are only so because no large corporation thought they would go anywhere, so not worthwhile getting on the payroll - maybe we could have them shipped down to Chubut.....would that please you ?
If you believe they are honest 'today', put them in a position of power and see what happens to them....
As to Marina, not presidential material....
Back to square one.
May 23rd, 2017 - 09:16 pm +1
:o))
Can this be called as “Operation Poseidon”?
May 22nd, 2017 - 11:44 am 0
Jack Bauer
It's just one more “Titanic” for Lula and the PT...
May 22nd, 2017 - 08:46 pm 0

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