Hearing for Bofors suspect put off to June 7
Argentina set a new date of June 7 for a hearing on India's request to extradite businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi to face charges in the 1980s Bofors corruption scandal, his lawyer has told the media.
By Agencies |
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina set a new date of June 7 for a hearing on India's request to extradite businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi to face charges in the 1980s Bofors corruption scandal, his lawyer has told the media.
The hearing was put off from last Wednesday at India's request in the court in the northeastern city of Missiones, Quattrocchi's lawyer Alejandro Freeland said yesterday.
Quattrocchi, 68, is accused of taking bribes to swing the 1980s Indian arms purchase deal in favour of Swedish arms manufacturers Bofors.
At the time the scandal broke, he had close links to prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991, and his Italian-born wife Sonia Gandhi, who currently leads the ruling Congress party.
Quattrocchi has always maintained his innocence, saying his only crime was being a friend of the Gandhis.
He was arrested in Argentina on February 6 under an Interpol warrant issued by India, but has been released on bail.
In early March Freeland labelled the charges as "absurd."
The hearing was put off from last Wednesday at India's request in the court in the northeastern city of Missiones, Quattrocchi's lawyer Alejandro Freeland said yesterday.
Quattrocchi, 68, is accused of taking bribes to swing the 1980s Indian arms purchase deal in favour of Swedish arms manufacturers Bofors.
At the time the scandal broke, he had close links to prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991, and his Italian-born wife Sonia Gandhi, who currently leads the ruling Congress party.
Quattrocchi has always maintained his innocence, saying his only crime was being a friend of the Gandhis.
He was arrested in Argentina on February 6 under an Interpol warrant issued by India, but has been released on bail.
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In early March Freeland labelled the charges as "absurd."
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