Asia/South Asia
5 years ago

Israeli billionaire faces trial over $10m ‘Guinea bribes’

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Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz and two associates are to stand trial for allegedly bribing Guinean officials to win mining licences, Swiss prosecutors say.

The trio allegedly paid $10m (£8.2m) to one of the wives of former Guinean President Lansana Conte, says BBC.

The prosecution is seeking prison terms of two to 10 years.

They charge that the money was paid to a wife of the country’s former president partially through Swiss bank accounts.

The Guinean government has said it was not involved in the Swiss investigation and will not seek any “hostile action” against BSGR.

In 2016 Mr Steinmetz was detained and questioned by the Israeli police over the mining deals. He denied any wrongdoing.

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