Austrian prosecutors have raided offices and homes of lobbyists in a probe into allegations of bribery and money laundering linked to jet fighter purchases by Hungary, a spokesman for the prosecutors said today.
Prosecutors are investigating allegations by British authorities against Austrian Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly and affiliates over his role in Hungary's purchase of Gripen jet fighters, spokesman Gerhard Jarosch said.
The jets, made by Sweden's Saab, in which Britain's BAE Systems owns a stake, were delivered to Hungary earlier this year. A separate purchase by the Czech Republic may also be linked to the allegations, Mr Jarosch said.
Mensdorff-Pouilly's lawyer was not immediately available for a comment. He was quoted as saying on Austrian news agency APA that British authorities had been trying for a long time to find evidence for the allegations, but had not been succesful.
A spokeswoman for Saab said it was important for the company that its business held to a high ethical standard. "For us, it's unacceptable to have any corruption or bribery," she said.
She added Saab had been open and ready to answer any questions from authorities. BAE Systems was not immediately available for a comment.
The raids happened last Wednesday, Mr Jarosch said. He declined to give more detail on the allegations and would not name the British authority involved.
Reuters