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EADS offices raided in corruption probe

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EADS offices raided in corruption probe
Photo: DPA

Authorities raided offices and homes across Germany associated with European aerospace giant EADS, on Tuesday, as a decade-long investigation into bribery and corruption within the company reached a new high.

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A Vienna state prosecutor confirmed on Wednesday that there had been raids in several EADS offices around Munich, as well as at the homes of lobbyists, on the grounds of corruption concerning a €2 billion deal involving the sale of fighter jets to Austria, the Financial Times Deutschland reported on Wednesday.

Bribes worth around €180 million are thought to have been exchanged between a network of companies and lobbyists working for EADS – which despite confirming the investigation and the raids, refused to comment further.

Allegations of money laundering are also on the table, the paper added.

The politically controversial purchase of fighter jets by Austria was agreed back in 2002. Investigations there have been active for years.

"I can confirm that we have searched several sites in Germany as part of a corruption inquiry," said Thomas Steinkraus-Koch, public prosecutor in Munich. He added that "several people" were under suspicion but no arrest warrants had been issued.

Authorities also carried out raids on suspects in Switzerland and Austria.

The Local/ AFP/jcw

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