This Article is From Oct 18, 2013

VVIP chopper deal: alleged middleman Haschke, named by CBI, arrested in Switzerland

VVIP chopper deal: alleged middleman Haschke, named by CBI, arrested in Switzerland
Milan: Swiss resident Guido Ralph Haschke, the alleged middleman in an Indian deal for VVIP helicopters won by AgustaWestland, has been arrested on charges of bribery. The Rs 3,600-crore chopper contract is under investigation by Italian and Indian agencies for alleged kickbacks paid to Indian officials - including former Air Chief SP Tyagi.

Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this story:

  1. According to Italian news website, La Repubblica, Guido Haschke could be taken to Italy by next week if he doesn't appeal against a Swiss court's decision to allow his extradition.

  2. The Italian prosecutor who conducted the preliminary inquiry in the case has alleged that Finmeccanica, the parent company of the UK-based AgustaWestland, had used the services of middlemen to bribe Indian officials.

  3. Of the 30 million euros allegedly paid in bribes, 20 million was routed through Switzerland-based intermediaries Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.

  4. Haschke, allegedly enlisted by former Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi, was one of the 13 people named in the CBI's FIR or first information report.

  5. The CBI says payments were made through Tunisia-registered companies controlled by Haschke and Gerosa and were then transferred to accounts in India and Mauritius.

  6. According to the report filed by Italian investigators in an Italian court, the middlemen had agreed to a 7.5 per cent commission in the Rs 3600 crore deal, which amounts to around Rs 270 crore.

  7. SP Tyagi, Air Chief Marshall from 2004-2007, was allegedly paid by middlemen for the manufacturer via his three cousins, Julie, Sandeep and Dosca Tyagi.  (VIP chopper scam: Bank accounts of former Air Force chief SP Tyagi frozen)

  8. The prosecutor's report said Haschke met the former air chief many times personally. Tyagi has denied the charges.

  9. India has put on hold the further delivery of choppers and payments. (Need urgent decision on helicopters for VVIPs, says air force chief)

  10. The defence ministry has stated that because of the integrity pact, it can get back all the money paid by it for the deal.



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