VVIP chopper deal: alleged middleman Haschke, named by CBI, arrested in Switzerland
Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this story:
- 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.
- 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.
- Of the 30 million euros allegedly paid in bribes, 20 million was routed through Switzerland-based intermediaries Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- The prosecutor's report said Haschke met the former air chief many times personally. Tyagi has denied the charges.
- India has put on hold the further delivery of choppers and payments. (Need urgent decision on helicopters for VVIPs, says air force chief)
- The defence ministry has stated that because of the integrity pact, it can get back all the money paid by it for the deal.
