Judge questions banker over arms kickback claims
An anti-corruption magistrate on Tuesday questioned a Swiss-French banker who is seen as a key figure in the Siemens cash-for-contracts scandal and corrupt arms deal but was able to glean little information.
Jean-Claude Oswald, extradited to Greece after being caught in Abu Dhabi following the issue of an international arrest warrant, faced judge Gavriil Mallis, who asked him about the sale of the ASRAD anti-aircraft system to Greece by German firm Atlas Elektronik.
Sources said Oswald did not give any information regarding politicians that may have been involved in the deal but admitted that he opened a bank account for ex-Defense Ministry procurements chief Antonis Kantas. The latter has already admitted receiving bribes from foreign arms firms. Oswald faces charges of helping launder money from kickbacks in Greek arms deals.
