Suspects arrested in Belgium and Spain in NATO corruption probe
Three suspects have been arrested in Belgium and Spain as part of an investigation into corruption relating to the procurement of military equipment for NATO, according to the Belgian federal public prosecutor's office.
On Wednesday, the office announced the arrest of two individuals in Belgium as part of the investigation, one of whom was remanded in custody by an investigating judge. On Thursday, it announced the arrest of a third suspect in Spain.
"The investigation concerns possible irregularities in the awarding of contracts to defence contractors for the purchase of military equipment for NATO, including ammunition and drones," it said.
Confidential information
The case concerns the possible passing on of confidential information by employees of the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) to defence contractors who are eligible to win these contracts.
"There are indications that the money obtained from these illegal practices was laundered"
Several current or former employees of the NSPA, which is based in Luxembourg, are said to be involved. "There are indications that the money obtained from these illegal practices was laundered, partly through the establishment of consultancy firms," said the public prosecutor's office.
NSPA 'cooperating fully'
As part of the investigation, the Central Anti-Corruption Service of the Belgian federal police conducted searches in the coastal town of Bredene on Monday, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. The two were brought before an investigating judge in Bruges, who is leading the investigation.
The federal public prosecutor's office said the NSPA was cooperating fully with the investigation. "In the interests of the investigation, no further information or details will be provided at this stage," it said.
© PHOTO TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP
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